Extraordinary charge against a German Baroness.
--The little town of
Bruchsal, Baden, where
Oscar Becker was tried for his attempt on the life of the
King of
Prussia, has just been thrown into excitement nearly equal to that of the Becker case, by the trial of a lady of high rank — the
Baroness de Baumbach — on a charge of attempting to poison her husband.
The trial occupied the sittings of the
Assize Court at Bruchsal during the 26th, 27th, and 28th of September.
Madame de Baumbach is a lady 42 years of age, and is described as of a distinguished and noble mien, with pale, handsome face.--She was accompanied in the
Court by her daughter.
The charge against the Baroness was that she had attempted to take the life of her husband by mixing quantities of phosphorus with the sugar usually put in his warmed beer, which she was in the habit of having served to him. A singular peculiarity in the case was, that only some of the servants of the Baroness had set suspicion on foot and taken the steps which led to the proceedings.
The
Baron Baumbach had never believed the charge, and in his examination before the
Court repelled all idea of a suspicion of his wife's innocence with the utmost emotion.
Some trifling quarrels between the married pair appeared to have first given rise to any suspicions.
It was also hinted that the baron had endeavored to form an improper relation with a lady of rank, an acquaintance of his wife's, and that this circumstance had awakened the baroness's jealousy.
This allegation, however, was warmly denied by the Baroness herself, by the
Baron and by several witnesses.
The jury only deliberated five minutes, and then returned a verdict of not guilty, which was received with loud applause in a densely crowded court.
The
Baron de Baumbach immediately rushed to his wife and embraced her, and the scene which took place is described as singularly affecting.
