At the Old Bailey, the trial of Wilde vs. Queensberry officially begins. The trial was held at The Old Bailey, London's central criminal court from 1674-1913. The proceedings began with Sir. Edward Clarke (prosecution) making the opening regard. After his statement Clarke publicly read through Wilde's letters with Douglas in an attempt to preemptively negate any wrongdoings the Queensberry defense team would attempt to insinuate from them. Clarke's goal was to portray Wilde as an understandable man. Later, Wilde spoke on his own behalf and stressed his innocense of the claims Queensberry had made publicly regarding sodomy.