The San Francisco call., 1909-11-06
Accused Murderess of Husband
Led Painting Away From
French Trial Chamber
Presiding Judge, After Forcing
Damaging Admissions, Calls
Tale Tissues OF Lies
Woman Admits She FaIsifed
Story of Jewel Theft to
Shield Her Daughter

fnerciless examination at the
hards of the presiding judge of the
court of assizes,- where she is being
cried on charge OF numbering her
husband and -stepmother. the iron
nerves OF Nine. Marguerite steinheil
save way late today and she was led
ont OF the courtroom in a state of ut
ser collapse.
Several times before the climax
came festoratives. were administered
when - seemed as. though Nine. Stein
he'll was about to faint, and each time
she recovered quickly and replied TO
the inferrogations of Judge NJ de
Wales. :.
Insists She Is Well
When t0day's session began NJ. de
Wales was. fearful lest the strain was
proving TOO much Tor Nine steinheil.
hut his solicitude evoked from Nine.
Steiaheit the unbesitating statement
that she was not at all fatigued.
N. de Wales thereupon led her
through 2 labyrinth Of questions sur
3 rounding the case with his wonted re-
lentlessness. and Nine steinheil, with
her ever ready wit. answered them
quickly 70. the point. or. when they
seemed unduly. compromising. pleaded
for Justice and not vindictiveness.
once. she made plea direct to the
Jury. that they believe her innocent.
declaring. that in the hour Of her ad-
versity erstwhife friends who had par
taken Of her hospitality had utterly
<,o,5aken her.
again. when questioned closely by
Judge. de Wales as to why she had de-
clared certain jewels had been stolen
at the time -ef the murder when in
reality she had concealed them, Nine.
SteinheH. her eyes burning brightly
and moistureless behind the pallor that
the walls Of St Naizare prison have
lent. tc her cheeks. cried out that
it was to save her daughter from the
knowI ledge that her mother had a lover.
Admits False Statements
AS to her accusation against Bar
lingham. an American newspaperman,
and others whom she had charged with
completely in the crime. Nine. Stein
he'll said in her frenzy she had taken
recourse in anything that seemed to
give promise Of clearing herself of the
charge
IT was just after a savage attack had
been made upon her veracity by the
judge that the climax came. Nine.
SteinheiTs attorneys protested. but the
judge retorted hotly that the accused
woman had lied throughout-that her
story was a tissue of lies.
Shows Effects of Strain
Nine steinheil plainly showed the
effects of the trying ordeal she had
passed through during the last two
days. Great black rings We're under
her eyes and her face had the color of
putty. Nevertheless, she rose to her
feet when the inquiry began, and re-
sponded braveIy TO the examination.
In opening the proceeding Judge de
Wales dealt with the appearance yes
terday Of Rene Collard. an actor. who
G. rsed a momentary sensation by as
4 t.ing he was the real assassin.
Judge de Wales disposed of this incl
lenL as pure invention
Judge de Wales then turned his at
tention to Nine. steinheiL He con-
fronted her with various conflicting
statements she had made regarding
the occurrences on the night of the
crime. He also questioned her closely
on the involved financial condition Of
the Steinheil household at the time Of
the murders.
COHpOsure Gives Way
Nine. Steinheils conposure gradually
gave way before the succession Of
sharp interrogatories Her feeling at
last found expression in an agonized
food OF words in which she appealed
TO the jury TO believe in her innocence.
complaining bitterly that in the hour Of
her misfortune she had been deserted
by high placed friends. asserting also
that society women who had frcquented
her home had now deserted her
Notwithstanding this passionate ap-
peal Judge de Wales pursued his in
terrogatories relentlessly. When he
pinned. her down with proof that she
had concealed jewels that she after
ward said hard been stolen she turned
her back on him and with crossed arms
and ilashing eyes admitted that she
had done so, justifying her action by
the m0therly instinct Of shielding her
daughter from the knowledge thst the
jewels had come from her lover.
The prisoner Indignantly denied that
IL sensational attempt to revive the
Sc last fall by an accusation against
3oung Wolf. the son Of the cook in
The steinheil household. was due to
the fnsistences of her sweetheart.
. Continued on Page 10. Column 2