The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-14
DEFENDANT COLL IPSES
WHEN She HEARS RESULT
Verdict 10 Pleasing to the Public, and
End of Noted Trial Is Dramatic.
Plea Made by Defense Is
Very Strong.

Paris, November 14-(Special. MADAME
Marpherita Steinheil, the tragic widow"
was acquitted at an early hour this MORN
ing by jury of the charge of murder
ing her husband Adolph Steinheu. the
painter. and her stepmother, Madame
Japy
The jury brought In its verdict shortly
before l o'clock after a deliberation of
over two hours. The jury ceased their
deliberations three times to get explana-
tions of the case from the president of
the court and this was taken as an indi-
cation that on the first ballot the ma
jority probably was for conviction.
The rendering of the verdict was
fraught with dramatic features. Every
one in the court room had been keyed up
to high state Of nervous tension be-
cause of the delay. AS the jury filed into
the eourt room the expression on tho
faces of several of It's members conveyed
the instant impression that the verdict
was acquittal
In intense excitement the judges and
attorneys entered the court room and
took their places. Only Madame Stein
he'll remained to make the picture COM
plete and every eye in the room 1ss
turned toward the door from whence the
prisoner was expected to enter like the
star in some great drama. But the door
remained closed. With grave face NJ.
Deval1es, president of the court, addressed
the jury
"I4ave you reached verdict?" he ~
auired.
Verdict Of Jury.
The foreman of the Jury stood 40 ard
said. slowly and distinctly. "on ,ar eeal-
science We answer no to every ques-
tion."
These questions to which he referred
were:
rs Madame steinhei guilty of the vol
untary homicide of her motherr
lis Madame Steinheil guilty of the vol
untary homicide of her husband?''
Were these homicides premeditated?"
did the second homicide precede, ac-
company or follow the first7''
The words were scarcely uttered by
the foreman when pandemonium burst
forth. A wild howl OF mixed braves"
went up from the packed court room.
Men and women threw their hats N the
air and howled and screamed with de-
light. NJ. Aubin, Nine. Steinheil's coun-
Sci. anu ntb OOllGdB u6Ss tIllDiaccu Ollo
another excitedly. Vainly the presiding
Judge raped for order, but his com-
mands were drowned in the uproar
Finally the judge was able to make
himself heard and he shouted:
Bring in the accused!'
Defendant Appears.
Then followed another tense expeetant
period as the crowd concentrated It's gaze
h. 1a, l4rnr 30. f1A x1x-4ro
cells. Slowly 1t swung open and Madame
steinheil appeared, supported on either
side by gendarme. No entrance of
Bernhardt In one of her masterpieces
could have been more thrillingly dra-
matte. For a moment the black-robed
woman, her pallid face bowed to her
breast, tottered and she seemed on the
point of utter collapse.
The tremendous volley Of cheers that
greeted her must have given her strength
and courage. for she raised her head.
turned to the mass of faces and smiled
wan thankful smile. Supported by
the gendarmes, she staggered to-
ward and half fainting dropped to the
floor beside the rail Then the judge an
nounced the verdict of the jury and an
other outburst drowned her few faint
words of thanks.
Nine. Steinheil was free and vindicated
her head. Her attorney, Aubin, leaped
over the rail and lifted her figure In
his arms. At the same moment the
crowd surrounded them with a rush,
bowling like mad people. The news OF
the verdict had been flashed to the crowds
that surrounded the palais de justice for
many blocks on either side and the cheers
of tens of thousands who had been wait
ing many hours answered those within
the court room.
News Spread Broadcast
From the palais de justice through the
streets and boulevards of Paris the news.
Mime Steinhe is acquitted" flashed
from mouth TO mouth and everywhere the
crowds gave vent to demonstrations of ap-
proval.
Soon afterward special extras of the
Paris newspapers conveyed the details
of the verdict to the uttermost limits of
Paris and these papers were eagerly
snatched UP and read by waiting thous-
ands.
No such universal approval of or in
terest in a criminal case has been seen
in Paris In many year
Although Nine. Steinheil had been
legally acquitted under the law the French
procedure prescribed that the ceremony
of lifting the bolts shall be performed
oner is accomplished. In pursuance of
this 1t Is understood that Nine Stein
he'll was conducted by subterranean pas
sageways to the old st. Lazare prison
where she has been confined and where
her formal release will occur some time
this morning.
Plea of Defense.
The principal feature of the day was
the plea of M. Aubin, Nine Steinheils
attorney, to the jury In the course of
which he referred directly and rather
boldly to the late President Felix Faure
After telling of her earlier life, M
Aubin said:
''At the crucial point In her existence
of love was a man concerning whom
much political hatred was launched
against this woman. This man might
have done much for her. yet in the year
CONTINUED ON PAGE g.