The Washington herald., 1909-11-05

Paris, Nov. 4-Following Jean Lefevbre's
sensational confession that he partici-
pated in the murders for which Nine.
s'einheil is being tried. the authorities
put the man through a grfIing cross
examination tonight. the result Of which
was not announced. The statement IS
made, however, that this examination,
! conducted in private. shows that the con.
! fession is open 10 doubt.
All Paris is talking tonight Of the new
sensation in the trial Of Nine. SteinheH.
Mime. steinhe1 again to-day withstood
the torturiuG inquisition and relentless
batting Of Judge Wales without being
driven to make any damaging admissions
or any modification Of her version OF the
! crime Of which she is accused.
Her references to her mother won much
ground for her among the French pres
ent IN the court room. Even Henri
Rochefort, who Is convinced Of her. guilt.
said afterward that he was deeply
touched more than once b. her tesu-
mony.
A WranEIe of Voices.
The proceedings became wrangle oe
contending voices, the advocate general
raising his voice I'm support OF Judge
Wales, but invariably the woman had the
last word. The instructive feeling Of re-
pUlsion aroused in American and English
minds by the method Of procedure is in
\ dependent Of the question Of the accused.s 5
guilt or innocence. for Ct is also felt by
those n whom the prisoner arous
miration for her skill in fencing
prosecution, but who do not belle
| innocent
u IL perhaps worth noting. nc
I thai when judge COWS h.Tussl
lessiy. aimos- calIoUsrr severe. as
Wales is doing in the present cas-,
a sign that he wishes a favorable
for the prisoner. for his severity
reacts on the jury and the public,
70 the benefit or the accused.
The name Of the late President
was introduced to-day by the judge
ferring 10 two cards found On the
politan Railway. one for an exhibit
A. Steinhei's pictures and the ot -er d
visiting card OF Nine. MaseIne. who tho
judge said. painted a portrait Of 81
FaUre. and In whose house you first met
the president"
To this Nine SteinheIl replied:
NO. I met the President in the Alps"
The Interrogation covered every point
connected with the crime Nine Stein
heirs one line or defense was 10 repeat
her versions. When confronted with state
ments she had made not agreeing with
this version. she invariably averred she
had not been reported correctly by the
police.
Judge Il Categorical.
The judge categoricaIIy stated the pros
ecution might have conteuded that she
had had an accomplice. but he added.
THAT is not its contention. II main
talns that you alone assassinated your
mother and husband"
Nine. Stoinheil replied. Why not add
in order to marry NJ. BordereI2"
The Judge exclaimed: I beg you not
to interrupt me-"
To this Nine. steinheu retorted: Il
shaU every time you call me an assas-
sin
Nine. Severens. an experienced sour
nalist. writing her Impressions Of yester-
DAYS hearing SAYS. Judge Wales did
well 20 keep women from the trial They
would have hooted the prisoner. They
would not have 5een impressed bv her
theatrical pOstures. artificial accents. and
prepared effects the less so because
sometimes under the influence OF anger
the mask fell. the voice got out Of cor
lined forehead, pugnacioUs Jaw. cruel eye,
and hoarse. aggressive. vulgar accents
Then, by force OF VIII. her looks became
languishing and her voice plainuve.T
After a short recess. which was taken
az the request Of the prisoner, DR.. Delfsu,
physician OF the law courts accom-
panied her to the prisoners box Shortly
after this. the first surprise OF the day
came In the passing around OF a letter
brought 10 NJ Aubiu. Nine SteinheiTs
lawyer. The latter passed it up 20 the
presiding judge, who read e as follows.
Il confess that j am the red-haired
woman accomplice in the crime. 1 bought
the wig which I wore.
JEAN LEFEvBRE.
Youth Enters Court.
a well-dressed youth then entered the
court room. He said in reply 10 questions
ne had no fixed domlcie. He declared
he had shared the crime win one Of his
male friends He had dresSsd himself
as a woman. They had bHsned the
dresses afterward IN Monrmorefcv forest
His accomplice, he said. l5ad died since
Lefevbre here took out a wig from his
pocket and exhibited IL to the court. IIe
also described the Stenhen house I'm tile
Impasse Ronsin. lie said he hadsafter-
ward sold the stolen jewelry
The interruption created a sensation I'm
the court room. and for the moment
nonplused Judge Wales. who exclaimed.
That's nonsense The jGdge questioned
Lefeybre. who seemed 70 be unable ro
explain why he and his accomplish had
killed Steinheil and Nine Japy.
The general impression i'm the court
room was that Lefvbre Is either cray
or notoriety hunter. policeman too,
him away and the defendants examina-
tim was continues