ACTRESS'S TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 17

ACTRESS'S TRIAL.

m HEROINE OF "GAY BERLIN" ACCTSEI OF FORGERY. ROBBING A ROBBER. Many columns were devoted in Berlir newspapers to the trial of the Russiar "money broker" Margolin and his actress sweetheart, Frau Erna Froehlich, aecusec Df forgery and fraud, involving a sum ol ibout £7501). It is alleged that Frau Froeh lien impersonated Frau Hecht, the wealths mother of the "Countess" de la Ramee, aud by forging Frau Hecht's signature obtainec the money from various institutions Id Berlin. Fran Froehlich was once a popular Berlin operetta singer, and, like Margolin, was a well-known figure In the after-midnight life of "gay Berlin." Margolin was a particular favourite in many frivolous resorts, where he was famed for his immaculate clothes and his oponhandedness. The couple cut a sorry tigtire in the dork. Margolin wore an ordinary striped tweed suit in contrast with the elaborate attire of his better days, while the "night-life habitues who occupied most of the room in court hardly recognised Frau Froehlich in an olive-green skirt, a simple lace blouse, and a plain green felt hat. Frau Froehlich was often in tears. The processes of the law revealed that Margolin is 43 and Frau Froehlich 42. Both looked older as the result of seven months in gaol. Margolin made full confession, but attempted to exonerate Frau Froehlich, who, he said, had forged and sworn falsely wholly to please him. "She would sign her own death warrant," exclaimed Margolin, "out of love for mc." Frau Froehlich pleaded ignorance of the illegality of her acts even after the judge had angrily rebuked her for trying to make the jury believe that she was really so naive. At half-past 1 iv the morning, after a continuous session of 17 hours, the pair were found guilty of forgery and fraud, and sentenced to 42 months' hard labour and 18 months' imprisonment respectively. The closing scenes of the trial were highly dramatic. Just before the jury retired, a few minutes before midnight. Margolin addressed the court In his own defence, asking no mercy for himself but begging clemency for his sweetheart. Frau Froehlich. "Don't add to Ihe burden on my conscience by i-ouvi.-ting her," he exclaimed. Then the actress, crying pitiably, appealed to the jury to find mitigating circumstances in her case. When the jury returned the court was still crowded with spectators who had followed the proceedings since '.> o'clock in the morning. Margolin received his sentence stolidly, but Fran Froehlich turned deathly pale and stood as If suddenly turned to stone. The prisoners hare appealed for a re-trial. Behind the trial was a remarkable story. Public interest centred less upon, the accusation against the prisoners thau in the persons directly implicated in it—namely, the so-called "Count" de la Ramee, who, representing himself as the heir of n French nobleman, married Fraulein Alice Hecht, the daughter of one of Berlin's wealthiest merchant prices. The real name of the "count," who Is a Hungarian, Is Bela Klimm. In Wiesbaden the "count'" met Fraulein Ilecht, who fell in love with him. The couple eloped to London, and were there married. The "count" was afterwards arreted, but his wife's devotion remained unbroken. His ability to charm wealthy ladies and his shrewdness at .-ards brought him. It is alleged, much revenue. One Berlin noblewoman is said to lta-ve pawned £~>OOO worth of jewels and tunned the proceeds over to the captivating 'vount." Iv his quest for fresh funds do la Ramee made the acquaintance of Margolin and Fraulein Frohlich. Margo'.in offered to secure £1500 immediately for the couple, j but as he conld not negotiate their notes i ' -without security, he and his sweetheart j hit upon the plan of forging; the endorse- | ment of Frau llecbt. the "Countess de la i liumce's wealthy mother. lCranlein Froehl lich, dressed in widow's weeds, imperi sonated Frau Hecht before a notary and , signed her name to notes for sums aggregat- ; ing £10.000. These Margolin had little dlffl- ] culty in negotiating, as the name and I wealth of Frau Hecht are well known in ' Berlin. Instead of turning the money over to the "count" and his wife, however, Margolin appropriated iv lie aud his actress-wire subsequently disappeared from Berlin aud lived in the best hotels of the Riviera, Switzerland, and Austria, until they were finally arrested at St. Petersburg.