The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-20
BY MARY KNIGHT

Limited Press Stan COfreSpCn0ent) Nice, France, May 20-(U. Po- Defiant denial that she had conduct ed an illicit love affair with an un- named swimming instructor was flung to the court to-day by Mrs Charlotte Nixon-Nirdlinger at the l opening of her dramatic trial. | Pale and without makeup, the former St Louis beauty queen faced a charge of manslaughter growing out of her fatal shooting of her husband, a. wealthy Philadelpnia theater owner, at their fashionable Riviera Villa last March. "You led a life which you call model" the judge said in question: | ing the pretty widow caustically "but wasn't it true that you had a love affair with a swimming instruc- tor?"
 The defendant had been weeping quietly in the prisoners box. She looked up quickly and shot her de- nial at the judge. No" she cried in tones that rang through the packed court. Its untrue. All those stores are un- true."
 | The courtroom was electrified at the visibly hostile attitude of the judge towards Mrs Nixon- -Nirdlinger. | He questioned her sharply, and a murmer went over the room. Irma Stolz, nursemaid to the two small children of Mrs Nixon-Nird- finger, was called and asked if her mistress had flirted. "No, No! she was an ideal mo- i ther and loved her children" pro- tested the nurse. She was never out alone. Her husband read every let- ter she wrote or received" Mrs Nixon-Nirdlinger's deeply lined face was ablaze with anger as ] the judge pressed his questions. Her , face had been all that showed above the edge of the prisoners box until the judge ordered her to stand dur ing questioning and reading of the manslaughter charge. After a postponement for lunch con the trial was resumed. The hearing was relieved by laughter for the first time when the judge questioned witness, Mrs Winnifred May-Copley, wife of a asked if she could speak French. and there was no reply. Continued questions at last disclosed that she could speak only English, and was almost stone deat. She was placed on a high stool so that she could hear the questions.
 Was Mrs Nirdlinger a for ward or reserved type of woman?" asked the judge.
 Mrs May-Copley replied in loud voice:
 "She was very serious. in fact. she was always too reserved for married woman"
 Mrs Nixon -Nirdlinger started to weap.
 During the luncheon interval Mrs Nixon Nirdlinger had luncheon with her mother in a cell.
 Strategy was used by the police to get the pretty young American widow from the jail to the court room. They whisked her away at 1880 a. m., an hour and a half be- fore the trial opened, escaping crowds of curious who thronged the route for a glimpse of the defend ant.
 Mrs Nixon- Nirdlinger. stunning in q costume of modest black satin her widows weeds"-wept as the trial began.
 She seemed confused at the rapid Are questions until the judge fiatly accused her of Q love iiaison with an unnamed swimming teacher.
 The former beauty queen fiared up at the charge. Her eyes fiery with anger. she shouted her denial in perfect French.
 Nice had prepared for the trial as one prepares for q matinee. It was not only the subject Of conver. sation everywhere. but bets were laid go to 1 that Mrs Nixon. Nirdiin. ger would be acquitted.
 rho charge of manslaushter car. ries a possible penalty Of i've years In prison.
 In the jail. the young widow had been nervous tho last few days. When the United Press e0fFs. npondenf, called lass evening at her cell. tears were streaming down beE cheeks as she eiung fO the Iron bafs, She was e piilfdi lGure Go the dHTb neisoH afeas aebFived nf new