MMLE. STEINHEIL FREE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

MMLE. STEINHEIL FREE

DRAMATIC SCENES AT CLOSE OF THE TRIAL.

;i EXCITEMENT IN PARIS. “On my soul and conscience, before God and man, the answer of the jury is ‘No’ to all the questions.” In these words the foreman of the jury announced the result of their deliberations in the Steinhcil trial at fiveminutes past 1 o’clock on Sunday morning (November 14th), after one of the most 'excitingr.and strenuous days ever experienced in a court oi : justice. Describing the final scene, “The Standard’s” correspondent says: Never have the precincts of any court been the scene of the conflicting emotions and frenzied outbursts of triumph that greeted the acquittal of Mine. Steadied. No king or queen, victorious general, or public idol has ever stirred the enthusiasm of Paris to its core like the unhappy Avoman avlios© months of martyrdom then ended in a verdict of “Not guilty” on every count of the charge against her. From noon to 1 a.m. —thirteen hours—the interest of millions of Frenchmen centred round the room Avhere twelve citizens Avere weighing of life and death regarding one frail felloAV-creature. The theatres Avere filled: there was a first night at the Vaudeville, and “Lohengrin” at the Opera, hut the thoughts of most were far from the mimic stages, and few dreamed of going to rest until the result of the great trial was known. Several of the leading newspapers had kept motor cars by the dozen drawn up at every gate leading to the court, and Avhen the verdict was known they raced through the streets, journalists and chauffeurs alike wildly Av-aving their hands and shouting the news of the acquittal. As the noAVs spread, like fire under a-wind, along the boulevards and up to Montmartre, the calcs, full of those who were waiting, burst into music and cheers, whilst men and women danced and kissed -and cried in semi-delirium. “Alafeking Day” in London is the only comparison that can be .imagined for the hour of “St-einheil Niglit” in Paris. WAITING FOR THE JURY.

The tension of the Avaiting for the jury became unendurable as the minutes dragged on. At five minutes past one the Boor was opened and the twelve marched' in. From the other side appeared Me. Aubin and his tivo juniors. Somebody declared that Ate. Steinhardt Had made a sign of clapping liis hands. The jury Avore actually smiling, and so Avas the president, and even the grim Public Prosecutor. It appeared incredible, after the despondency of the last two hours. M. de Valles proclaimed that he would not tolerate any demonstrations, and then the foreman of the jury stood up, flourishing a paper in his hand, a stout, thick-set man Avitli a resolute face, on which a thousand eyes were fixed. Without a second’s hesitation, lie read out in a loud, clear voice the A'erdict of acquittal. FRENZIED EXCITEMENT.

What followed defies description. Like a thunderclap, the violent, pentup emotion of the Avliole- court found vent in one frantic, roaring cheer. “BraA'os” rang from floor to ceiling till the windows shook. Barristers threw up their caps, some climbed on the benches Avaving handkerchiefs, others thumped the desk, and the ivaA'e of exultant applause rolled and echoed along the corridors until it reached the street and hurst outside. Then the prisoner’s door opened, and followed by an anxious doctor, and between two burly guards in uniform, supporting it as gently and carefully as nurses Avith a child, appeared now the familiar little black figure veiled in crape. Her laAvyers had not dared to tell her yet, and she had long given Tip all hope. Her counsel had indeed scarcely A T entured to encourage her, and when they knew the acquittal they feared the good neAvs might prove fatal. So they only begged her to believe" in the jury. When the guards came to fetch her they were themselves as pale as a sheet, and lifted rather than led her for the last time, into the dock. For a moment she stood clutching the wooden rail, and wide-open tragic eyes only saw a sea of upturned faces—an outstretched friendly hand and a confused mass of flying black robes. Her ears only heard a din of inarticulate delight, carrying to her the -message “asquitted” thatdrowned the president’s A-oice, declaring that she Avas free. MME. STEINHEIL FAINTS.

The shock was evidently too sudden, and swaying once her fingers loosened, she fell "back in a faint, -to be carried out—her deatlily-white face wet with tears, -and her brown hair clinging damply to her forehead. She was finally taken aAvay by Ale. Aubin’s two secretaries in a motor car towards two o’clock to .the Hotel Terminus. A bogus motor car Avitli a veiled woman was first despatched from the court, and Avas followed by all the newspaper motor cars round Paris, thus enabling the acquitted prisoner to eAado- pursuit -and intervieAvs. Early next morning she left Paris for a destination Avliicli Avas kept a profound secret, when she saw her daughter, who Avas staying Avith relatives of the late AI. Steinheil.

So ended a drama never equalled on any stage, and I am compelled ‘to add a painful exhibition of tlie tortures to which an innocent AMctim may be put l»y the vices of a procedure Avliich Avill probably now be reformed.