Belfast News-Letter - Thursday, May 23, 1895

THE TRIAL OF OSCAR WILDE.

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, before Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde was put upon his trial for the second time on a charge of committing indecent acts. Sir Frank Lockwood, Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution; and the prisoner was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr. Chas.Matthews, and Mr.Travers Humphreys. The court was densely crowded. Wilde came into the court at 10-30, and at once entered the dock. Sir Frank Lockwcod, in opening the case, explained the charges against the defendant, and gave a detailed statement of the occasions on which the prosecution would rely. Edward Shelley was the first witness examined. His evidence referred to the period of three months after he became acquainted with the accused. A number of letters from witness to Wilde were read, thanking the defendant for his many kindnesses to witness, and appealing for help. In cross-examination witness admitted that several statements contained in these letters were either exaggerations or untruths, and that when they were written he was becoming very unwell mentally. This was through over-study, and he was very unwell in August, 1894, but there was nothing the matter now. Evidence was given by Mr. Matthews, publisher, of Vigo Street, as to Shelley being in his employ, and the proprietor of Albemarle Hotel deposed to Wilde staying there, and being visited by persons who apparently were not gentlemen. Wood then repeated the evidence which has already been given. In cross-examinatton the witness admitted that he had received £175 from a man named Allen, who had obtained £400 blackmail. Charles Parker was the next witness. He repeated the evidence already published as to meeting Taylor, who introduced him to Wilde, and subsequently going to the Savoy Hotel. Cross-examined—Witness was the Parker who had received £30 from Allen, who had obtained a large sum of money frem a gentleman. The case was adjourned until to-day.