The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-04
Stranger Walks Into Court at
Steinheil Trial.
Declares That He Is Guilty of
the Murders.
GOES INTO DETAILS
Similar to Those Related by the
Defendant.
She Fails to Recognize Him
After Inspection.

| Paris. Nov. "A new sensation was
added to the trial of Nine. Steinheil
late this afternoon when M. Auben, the
1'rlsoner's attorney, suddenly interrupt
e6 the proceedings to present a letter
just received by him and signed Jean
Lefevre," in which the writer stated
that he wished to confess participa-
ton in the murders of which Nine
Steinhef is accused
The writer, the attorney stated had
been. overcome by remorse. Immediate
ly after reading the letter, the attorney
suddenly and Dramatically introduced
the writer, VINO in the meantime had
made his way through the crowd in the
court room to a place beside NJ. Auben.
The new conner proved to be a man
of about II years. Amid the greatest
excitement he demanded a hearing Re-
fusing to reply to the preliminary in
ouiries as to his profession and domi-
Gle, the Young man shouted That he had
teen al accOmpliee in the assassination
Of Adolphs Steinheil and Nine. Jappy.
As the audience hushed into silence in
their eagernesss to hear what he had to
say, Jean Lefevre continued:
I was an accomplice at the aSSasSi-
nations at the home of Madam Stein
Eeil. Filled with remorse. I wish now
to confess my part in the crimes. I
WaS disguised as a woman and wore a
wig of red hair. My accomplices wore
long cloaks. We committed the mur-
Gers and then escaped to the forest at
Mount Morency. where we burned our
disguises.''
The voluntary witness said that after
destroying evidences Of their crime he
and his comranions escaped from the
country, going abroad One of his
friends had since died he said.
Failed to Recognize Him.
Nine. Si-inheil confronted Lefevre but
said she was unable to recognize him as
ore of the murderers whom she had de-
scribed.
Judge De Wales ordered that Lefevre
be placed under arrest. At the same
time. the court warned the jury that
this dramatic episode might prove to
be another attempt to battle justice.
Paris, Nov. 4.-Madame Steinhel
had made wonderful single-handed
fight for her life, displaying as much
skill in confounding the judge as she
,, had in battling the police. While in
the dock, she presented dramatic
figure, her black mourning gown ac
centuating the pallor of her face.
When caught in the meshwork of
conflicting stories previously told. she
had recourse to tears, or with uplifted
eyes and arms extended, made fervent
appeals to the jury.
The most experienced court report
erS IN france cOnSlQer NINE. Ste1nnell
the most consummate actress who
has ever appeared before the bar Of
justice, while the dramatic critics be-
leve she might have been a world
famous tragedienne.
She Has Public's Sympathy.
The procedure of the criminal
courts of France, which makes the
judge prosecuting attorney natural
ly awakens sympathy for the prisoner
and the public belief is strong that
Nine. Steinheil will not be convicted.
The intense interest in the case is
every half hour print extras contain
ing the testimony.
The scandal that grew out of the
fatal illness at the prisoners home
of Felix Faure, president of France,
has not been mentioned at the trial,
although Judge De Wales announced
that it was not intended to shied any
one.
At one point in her testimony, how
ever. the accused woman referred
significantly to "a high political per-
sonage who had been my friend" but
added that she did not desire to in
vo1ve in this affair one who had been
kind to her
A Second Bernhardt.
Not even Bernhardt. in her tragic
roles, has ever Swayed a Partisan as
semblage as Nine. Marguerite Steinheil,
Dorr til