The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-09
At Every Stage Proceedings
Grow More and More
Confusing.
ATTITUDE OF COURT
UNDERGOES CHANGE
No Longer Browbeats Prisoner.
Witnesses and Counsers.
Nerves on Edge.

PARIS, Nov 9-FuIIy as much mys-
terry today surrounds the trial of Nine. I
Marguerite Steinheil for the murder Of
her husband and mother as enshrouds /
the crime with which she is charged.
At every stage the proceedings Of the !
assize court grow more mysterious. The |
most commonplace question, put to an /
important witness, seems pregnant with /
a dire Importance and judge. jury. and
spectators. as well as the black-clad
prisoner. wait breathlessly for an an
swer.
This idea OF grave revelations impend- |
ing, which has pervaded the court room |
since the trial began, has racked the
nerves OF everyone in connection with /
the case, until when witnesses were
questioned today the slightest incident |
was sufficient to precipitate bitter al
tercation.
Change In de Wales.
The spectators are puzzled over the |
obvious change which has come over
President of the Court de Wales. who |
conducted the terrible inquisition TO |
which Nine. Steinheil was subjected |
for the first three days of the trial |
De Wales has become restless and i'm !
patient. He appears to wish the whole /
thing over. and he impatiently hurTies
witnesses in their testimony. He has
almost entirely ceased the batting Of
Nine Steinhen, and the third degree |
methods by which he sought 10 entrap |
her.
Those in the courtroom are recalling |
several questions which Nine. Steinheil
obviously evaded during the examination
OF other witnesses ana which De Wales
appeared perfectly willing to let pass I'M
answered. Several times in the course
OF the examination the former favorite
Of dead President Faure remarked:
Stops Questioning.
Monsieur President. I think we win
not discuss that"
And De Wales acquiesced. He seemed
fearful OF making public something
which were better kept concealed The
spectators are wondering if Madame
SteinheT7s silence on these points may
not have had something to do with the
abandonment Of De Wales terrible ques-
lioning.
Meantime the prosecutor general has
taken up the inquisition, and IUl some
reason he goes 70 great length to make I
an opportunity for insulting witnesses
who are favorable TO. the defense. he
has even caused several outbreaks in
the audience by his biting sarcasm, and
the evident malice of his prosecution.
Ali Of this is certainly not injurirS
Nine. Steinheil's position before the Jur.
and she takes advantage of this fully,
euphasizing tie vengeful attitude OF
the prosecution by her alternate denance
and pleading She takes YolumIslnop1s
notes throughout the session evidently
for use IN preparing the closing speech
which she is allowed 70 make and which
win undoubtedly be her strongest ap-
peal
On Verge Of Breakdown.
NIT n
Judge and prosecutor today, however,
Madame Steinhen appeared almost on
the verge OF a nervous collapse. The
general irritation in the court room.
and the constant squabbIing seemed to
worry her. At one point in an angry
alteration with de Wales over one of
her rings which was missing after the
crime. she aroused the president of
the court by saying:
I have already explained IN
manner simple enough TO enlighten a
child, but you are unable TO under
The infection carried a reflection
on the intelligence Of de Wales, and /
while the spectators murmuTed ap-
provingly. de Wales momentarily lost
his temper. After this encounter
Nine Steinheu was visibly weaker, |
and 1t is feared that she viii not be
able 10 stand another day Of the
Begins Buoyantly.
More than encouraged by the friendly
testimony given yesterday at her trial. /
and the friendly expressions Of the
audience Nine. Steinheil, the Red
Widow" stepped buoyantly as she
entered the courtroom. Hope radiated
from her at every glance. She evil
IDENTIFY believes the government case
against herAs just as good as destroyed |
already.
That there was no trace Of narcotics
IN the bodies OF NJ. Steinheil and Nine. /
Jappy when they We're found was the
testimony OF the medical experts. The
artist and his mOther-1n-laW had been
slain by strangulatiOs.. declared the
doctors. Nothing had been administered
70 stupefy them before the killing, the
witnesses said. They also testified that
they had examined Nine. Steinheii and
had found that her strength was entire
~ Inadequate 70 have killed her husband
by strangulation.
Paralyzed With Fear.
DR.. Balthazard. one Of the medical ex-
perts, declared n. Steinhen had evil
IDENTIFY been paralyzed with fear before
his life was taken. The presence of
Nine. steinhen was rot sufficient TO
explain this fear There must have been
others ia the room. he declared.
Dr. Sufit, who made the autopsy on the
bodies of the two victims OF the killing,
declared that they were but slightly
marked. indicating 10 him that there
had been little struggling. II any.
AS a flnal word, Or. Sufht added, II
believe, unhesitatingly. IN the story OF
assassins" /
Frederick Harrison Birmingham, an
American journalist started the audi /
ence 70 laughing when he was placed /
? on the stand. There was nothing hui /
moTous about his testimony. but a
Frenchman always laughs at the strug !
giles Of a oreigner to speak his Ian j
uuage. Harrison was one Of the men
accused by Nine. Steinheil as a partici- /
pant in the murder She afterward /
withdrew the accusation. and the judge
stated yesterday that there was abso- !
IUtely nothing against the American.
ROPE KILLS MAN.
CHESTER. Pa. Nov 9.-Joseph B. |