Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-11-04
Prisoners Attorney Receives Let
ter From lean Lefewe" Say
ing He Wishes to Confess.
PARTICIPATED IN MURDERS
Defendant Showed Great skill IN Con-
founding the Judge--Shc Was
Exceedingly Dramatic.

Paris, Nov. "A new sensation was
added to the trial OF Madame steinhe.l
late this afternoon when NJ. Aubin.
the prisoners attorney, suddenly inter
rupted the proceedings to present a
letter just received by him and signed
Jean Lefeyre," in which the writer
stated thar he wished TO confess 10
participation in the murders OF which
Madame steinhoil is accused.
The writer the attorney said.
had stated that he had been
overcome by remorse. Immediately
after reading the letter the attorney
suddenly and dramatically introduced
the writer, who IN the meantime had
made his way through the crowd in
the courtroom TO place beside NJ.
Aubin.
The newcomer proved 20 be a man
OF about p years. Amid the greatest
excitement he demanded hearing
Refusing to reply to the preliminary
inquiries as to his profession and
domicile, the young man shouted that
he had been an accomplice in the as
sassination OF Adolphe Steinhel and
Madame Japy
As the audience hushed into silence
IN their eagerness 20 hear what he
had TO say. Jean Lefevre continued:
Il was an accomplish i'm the assas-
sinailons at the home OF Madame
Steinheil FILLED with remorse. / wish
now 70 confess my part in the crimes
l was disguised as "A woman and wore
Wig OF red hair. Ny sccomplices
wore long cloaks. We committed the
murders and then escaped TO the for
sst az Montmorency, where We
burned our DISCUSSES"
The voluntary prisoner said after
destroying evidences OF their crimes
ne and his companions escaped from
the country, going abroad. one Of his
friends had since died he said
Madame Steinheil confronted Lee
fevre, but said she was unable TO
recognize him as one OF the murder
ers whom she had described.
Judge Devalles ordered that Iefeyre
be placed under arrest
COURT WARNS JURY.
AT the same time the court warned
the jury that this dramatic episode
might prove 10 be another attempt TO
barfie justice.
Madame Marguerite Steinheil. whose
examination on the charge Of murder
ing her husband and her step-mother.
Madame Japy, was concluded in the
assize court today. made wonderful
single-handed fight for her life. dis
playing as much skill in confounding
the judge as she had In battling the
police
While In the dock she presented a
dramatic figure, her black mourning
gown accentuating the pallor Of her
face. When caught in the mesh-work
Of conflicting stories she had recourse
10 tears or with uplifted eyes and arms
extended, made fervent pleas 20 The
jury
Experienced court reporters consider
Madame Steinhei the most consum-
mate actress who has ever appeared
before the bar OF Justice, while the
dramatic critics believe she might have
been world famed tragedienne.
The procedure OF the criminal courts
Of France. which makes the Judge a
prosecuting attorney, naturally awak-
ems sympathy for the prisoner and the
public belief Is strong that Madame
Steinheil will not he convicted. The
intense interest In the case is shown
by the fact that the newspapers every
half hour print extras containing the
testimony
The old scandal that grew out OF the
fatal illness at the prisoners home Of
Felix Faure, president OF France, has
not been mentioned at the trial. al
though Judge Devalles said that IL WAS
not intended to shield anyone.
At one point I'm her testimony. how
ever, the accused woman referred slg-
nincantly 10 high political parsonage
who had been my friend" but added
that she did not desire 20 involve In
this AFFAIR one who had been Kind %
her.