The New York Herald (European Edition) - Saturday, April 27, 1895

OSCAR WILDE'S TRIAL BEGINS.
The Whilom Aesthete Appears at the Bar of the Old Bailey.
[BY THE HERALD'S SPECIAL WIRE.]

London, April 27. It might almost have been assumed that by this time people were tired of fighting to get a glimpse of Oscar Wilde's face; but I found the crowd almost as large as ever at the Old Bailey yesterday when the whilom aesthete, in company with the very unaesthetic Taylor, appeared before Mr. Justice Charles for trial. The Court was filled with a struggling crowd the moment the doors opened.

Wilde looked much thinner than when he was at Bow Street and his hair was shorter. Sir Edward Clarke interposed at an early stage with the objection that the accused could not be called upon at the same time to plead to an indictment which contained charges under the Criminal Law Amendment Act and also the charges of conspiracy first named. The judge, however, overruled the objection and both prisoners at once pleaded not guilty.

Mr. C. F. Gill then opened the case in a speech which simply went over the ground now quite familiar to the public and Charles Parker was called as the first witness. Some doubt had been expressed as to whether the witnesses against Wilde would stand to the statements they had already made, but Parker soon dismissed all apprehension on his score. He was quite firm on all points already brought out and besides made new admissions tending to increase the gravity of the charges.

His evidence, however, was of a character similar to that elicited at Bow Street. His brother followed him into the box and other evidence not of great importance having been taken the case was adjourned for the day.