Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-14
Dramatic Scene in Paris Court
room When Jury Returns
Verdict of Not Guilty in Sen
SationaI Murder Case,
FAIR DEFENDANT FAlNTS
WHEN ORDEAL is OVER
Eloquent Argument of Coun-
sci for Prisoner Wins Free
dom for Client Despite Strong
Case Of Prosecution,
my Morning Journal Special Leased wirsl

Paris. Nov. Il.--Mme. Margerita
Stcinheil was acquitted by jury at
l 2 SO this morning of numbering her
husband, Adolphe Steinhell. noted
painter, and her stepmother, Mime.
Japy. The verdict was rendered after
two and half hours dellberation.
during which the jury three times
summoned the president Of the court
for explanations, thus proving that
the original majority was for convic-
tlon, A dramatic scene followed the
jurys appearance. The black robed
Judges and counsel filed In and took
their places. NJ, De Wales. the pre-
siding Judge turned to the jury and
asked Have You reached a ver-
diet p The foreman repliedi In our
conscience we answer no to every
question"
a salvo OF "bravos" followed this
announcement, and perfect bedlam
broke loose, NJ Aubin, counsel for
Nine. Steinheil, embraced his col
leagues, men ana women in the rear
of the hall Jumped and screamed for
10y Tho Judge threatened to clear
the court room and when d semblance
.of order was restored he called.
Bring In the accused" In two min.
utes the black robed figure appeared
in the doorway supported on each
side by gendarmc The woman
pwayed and seemed to be fainting. but
In response to wild outburst of cheers
she lifted her head and looked about.
smiling family in Acknowledgement
81 4.
on the floor beside the court.
When the judge pronounced the
verdict her faint murmur of thanks
was hardly heard. An instant later
NJ, Aubin was over the rail- lifting
her in his arms
The crowd surged forward, cheer
ing wildly. outside the gloomy court
tens Of thousands who had been wait
ing for hours took up the cry.
After being assisted out OF the court
room she was conducted from the
by one OF the numerous pas
aages. Where she was taken Is not
known. but probably she was escorted
back to st. Lazare prison, as the
French procedure requires the for
mality of lifting the bolts before
The last day of the trial was given
over largely to the argument OF NJ.
Aubin, counsel for the prisoner. who
spoke with much feeling. While adj
mitting the faults OF his client, he de-
voted some time to telling the story
OF her life as child, wife and mother
II do not seek to place her on ped
estal,' he said, but she must not be-
put In the pllory. defend her with
all my soul because I believe her in
noeent." Nine, Stelnheii wept gently
rs her counsel spoke of how her hus-
band idolizcd her NJ. Aubin main
tanning that he enjoyed the adulation
Of which She was the object. If her
husband knew of her intrigues he
never indicated II by word or sound.
rhe counsel said he greatly regretted
that former President Faure's name
had been mentioned
who can say" he asked. how
much harm the perfidious insinua-
lions OF which Mime. Steinheii was the
object in connection with the former
president have done herr prefer
not to invoke the shadow of the fa-
nous statesman here"
After sketching the defendants in
rigues with Nm. Chouanard, Balm
'ourt and Borderel. he came to the
crime. insisting that the original story
old by the accused was true. He de-
Jared the entire circumstantial case
If the prosecution was a tissue OF la
loriously collated prcsumptions. with
'ut shadow of direct proof. He ar
sued that the prosecution lacked logic
when II asked for his clients eonvic-
ion, but admitted inability to bring
harges against her accompiices
whose Identity had been plainly indi-
'atcd.
VI. Aubin prolonged his pleading
ar into the night largely spelling the
arlicr effect by interminabie analysis
Il petty details, whereby he sought to
freak down the theory of the prose-
.ution and to establish every piece OF
lirect evidence consistent with Mime
'teinheirs story.
The court room was lighted with
;laring chandeliers and was stiflingiy
lot. the jury became restless and sew
raj women sitting in the rear shriek-
d and tainted.
The prisoner was a pitifui spectacle
md gradually fell forward, a cold
'weat turning her face ghaztly
green. 4 doctor was called in and
-wiee administered restoratives. bur