Evening journal., 1909-11-13
"RED WIDOWS
TRIAL CLOSING
Madame SteinheiI COIIapSeS
Following Prosecutors
Speech
GREAT CROWD GATHERS
AT THE COURT HOUSE
By united Press Leased Special wire.

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
PARIS, Nov. 18.-Trembling in every
limb and pallid and haggard as a corpse
Madame Marguerite Steinheil took her
place In the Asslze Court today for
the final ordeal Of her trial for tho
murder OF her husband and mother.
The courageous defiance with which the
Red Widow began her fight for life
has given way under the inquisitorial
examination Of French justice and she
was almost carried into court by her
guards. All night In her cell In the
conciergerie ST. Lazar, Madame Stein
he'll was attended by physician and
today she Is In a state OF almost total
collapse
The little black clad woman who
fought so successfully the bullying and
brow beating and the clever cross ex-
animation OF President Of the De Valcs
was completely unnerved by the speech
Of the Prosecutor General Riolle who
depicted in dramatic manner the de-
tails Of the murders OF NJ. SteinheiI
and Madame Japy as the state COM
tends Madame Steinheil committed the
murder.
Foreman Of Jury III.
The progress was interrupted when
court convened today by the announces
ment that the foreman OF the jury
was ill and would be unable 10 go on
with the case. After a short discuss
sion one Of the two substitute tales-
men was selected and placed In the
sick mans stead. M. Aubn az once
began his summary for Madame Stein
he'll, which IL was expected would be
very short The defense is convinced
Ia
tieally acquitted by the prosecutions
case.
Judge De Vale sordered an immed-
late investigation OF the illness Of the
foreman Of the jury 10 determine if
he Is really unable TO proceed with the
trial. Meantime the trial was tempor-
/ arily suspended The French Jurors
are sworn IN the same way that Amer
lean juries are but are not confined.
l1hey are allowed TO 60 to their homes
: each night. Fourteen jurors arc Sc.
u lectod although but twelve decide OF
Is the verdict The additional two hea
q an the testimony IN the case and n
al IN when n juror Is taken an. A ma
'p iority Of the jury renders a verdict.
- II Is probable that the- case viii {
by 10 the jury today ~
at A scroll threatening Madame stein
e. he'll with death II she is acquitted wa
III found today tackled TO the door OF IN
"a Steinhen home In the Tmpasse Ronsii
10 where the murders were committed
,e The authorities are searching for ia,
Is persons who delivered the threat bu
e IL is generally thought 20 be the wori
.e of a crank.
Friends OF Madame Steinheil made
b.. all preparations today for taking care
/, OF the accused woman tonight. as they
are convinced that she has passed hel
last night in prison.
Court Room Crowded.
Is A more distinguished company prob.
ably never crowded a French couri
than was on hand today TO sec th'
denouement Of the case Of which hal
conferred the interest Of all Paris 70
ID the past Two weeks. Max Nordau. IN
famors writer and physician was o
r. han carly, armed with huge pad upo
- which he wrote voiuminous note
of Madame Gabrielle Rejane. the actress
ce Henri Bernstein, the dramatist an
~ Henri de Rothschild, were also presen
Cd The demand for seats exceeded eve
he that OF the opening day Of IN tria
ut 7 thousands crowded the streets abot
,et the palais Justice hours before coui
ed opened and there was spirited biddlu
be for the first 100 places in line as th
ot holders of those places we're the onl
ones admitted to the court room.