The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-14
PARIS HAPPY 1 AT ACQUITTAL &einhel Woman Is Freed by Jury.
 FOREMAN OF JURY WAS ILL
 French Cook and Son Threaten the Judge.
 Lawyer Aubin Pleads for Freedom of His Client, Accused of Terri- bie Murder, But Does Not Excuse Her

Paris, Nov 14-Madame Margherita Steinheil was acquitted by jury at an early hour this morning of the mur- der of her husband. Aiolphe Steinheii, noted painter, and her step-mother. Madame Japy. The verdict was ren- dered at 12.55 a. m., after two and half hours deliberation. during which the jury thrice summoned the presi- dent of the court for instruction. thus proving that the original majority was for conviction.
 To some degree sentiment and q stuffy, crowded court room favored the prisoner and the delay caused much apprehension. With the first appearance of the jury. however, sev- eraI of whom were smiling. an in stinctive feeling of acquittal flashed through the court room. 0
 A dramatic scene followed. The red robed judges and counsel filed In and took their places. Every eye was riveted on the door through which the prisoner should enter. She did not ap- pear. M. De yalles. the presiding judge. turned to the jury and said: Have you reached a verdict?' The foreman arose and replied: "On our conscience, we answer No to every question" A salvo of "bravos" followed this announcement and a per- feet bedlam broke loose. M. Aubin, counsel for Madame Steinheil embrac- ed his colleagues. Men and women in the rear of the hall jumped and screamed for joy. The judge threat ened to clear the court room and when a semblance of order was restored he called out Bring in the accused.'
 Black Rsbed Figure Appears. Fully two minutes passed before the black robed figure with a white face. drooping on her breast appeared in the doorway, supported on either side by gendarme. The woman swayed and seemed to be fainting but in re- sponse to a wild outburst of cheers she lifted her head and looked about. smiling faintly in acknowledgement Then she tottered forward and sank ! kou the floor bestAe the raiL
 When the judge pronounced the yer dict her faint murmur of thanks was l hardly heard An Instant after, M. Aubin was over the rai1 lifting her in his arms. The crowd surged forward in solid wall, making the rafters ring with cheers. Outside the gloomy court. tens of thousands, who had been waiting for hours. took up the cry. Special editions of the papers spread the news like wildfire through the boulevards where thousands more were
 
 same scenes of rejoicing were witness ed there. After being assIsted out of the court room, Mime. SteinheiI was conducted from the building through a subterranean passage. Where she was taken Is not known, but proba biv she was escorted back to St. Lazare prison as the French procedure re- quires the formality of '1iftinr inc bolts" before the definite release of the prisoner. This ceremony will take place tomorrow.
 The last day of the trial was given over largely to the argument of M Aubin. counsel for the prisoner. Con. siderable delay was oecasIoned by the absence Of the foreman of the jury. but his place, after a physicians certifi- cate had been presented was taken by substitute. Maitre Aubin speakfna 2 with much feeling and in a sympa thetic voice, while admitting the faults of his client, devoted some time to telling the story of her life as a child wife, and mother.
 Relieves Her Innocent.
 'I do not seek to place her on a pedestal" he said. but she must not bc put on the pillory. I defend her with all my skill because I believe her innocent"
 Mime. Steinheil wept gently while counsel spoke of how her husband ido. lized her. M. Aubin maintaining that he enjoyed the adulation of which she was the object. If her husband knew of her intrigues he never indicated Il by word of sign.
 The counsel said he greatly regret. ted that ex-President Felix Faures name had been mentioned.
 Now who can say" he asked ''how much harm the perfidious insinuations of which Mime. Steinheil was the ob. ject In connection with the former president had done her. I prefer not tc invoke the shadow of this profound patriot here"
 After sketching the defendants fn- trigues with M. Chouanard, Balincourt and Borderel, he came to the crime. in. sisting that the original story told by the accused was true. He contended that the entire circumstantial case oi the prosecution was a tissue labor iously elaborated on presumptions without a word of direct proof He argued that the prosecution lacked logic when 1t asked for his clients conviction but admitted inability to bring charges against her accomplices whose identity had been plainly indi- cated. Finally. he said. Borderels tes- timony had exploded the motive which the prosecution ndd assumed. PrOIonEs His Pleading.
 M Aubin prolonged his pleading fal into the night. largely spelling the earlier effect by interminable analysis of petty details whereby he sought tc break down the theory of the prosecu. ton and to establish every piece oi direct evidence consistent with Mme. Steinheirs story.
 The court room. lighted with glarin2 chandeliers, was stining hot. The jury became restless and several who were sitting in the rear fainted. The prisoner was a pitiful spectacle and gradually fell forward, a cold sweat turning her livid face a ghastly green doctor was called in and twice ad- ministered restoratives. but just before NJ. Aubin finished. the woman's strength snapped and with convulsive gesture she threw her arms over the rail and collapsed in a ft of weeping
 When the judge asked her If she had anything to say. she made no re- ply. Tears streamed from many eyes and a minute later as the jury retired the Republican guards gently lifted the limp figure and carried 1t faintins from inc court room.
 All Paris. 1t seemed, clamored today