The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-10-12
Accused of Two Foul Murders on
the Witness Stand.
HIS DENIALS ARE POSITIVE
All HE Movements Of the Third OF
April Told in AN Apparently
Truthful Manner.

Gan Francisco Oct. 9.-Theodore Dur
rant, assistant superintendent OF the
Emanuel Baptist church Sunday school'
was placed on the stand today for the
purpose of convincing the jury selected
to try him that he did not murder
Blanche Lamont. With the same cool-
ness that has characterized his conduct
since his arrest he denied the prlnclpal
allegations that have been mace
against him by the most important
witnesses for the prosecution. Taken
altogether Durrant's direct testimony.
which ended at o'clock, when the
cross-examination began, probably had
a tendency to strengthen his case. Ills
demeanor while on the witness stand
was certainly intended to impress the
jury with the opinion that he was tell
ing the truth. Even when Attorney
Deuprey asked him if on the 3rd of
April or at any other time he murdered
or participated in the murder of
Blanche Lamont the prisoner coolly
replied in the negative.
The purpose of the defense to cur
tail cross-examination as much as pos
sible was shown when District Attor-
ney Barnes asked the first question.
Durrant was asked if he was not born
at Toronto, Canada, on April "a, 1871.
Attorney Deuprey objected to the ques-
ton. He said that Durrant could have
no positive knowledge on the subject
and any belief that he might have
| would be based on hearsay. The court
overruled the question and the prisoner
gave an affirmative answer
It was the original intention of the
| defense to recall Charles Lenahan this
| morning and have him tell more about
! the occasion upon which he tried to
pawn a ring at Oppenheim's shop
I4enahan contradicted himself so many
times yesterday that doubt was cast
upon his testimony and this morning
he did not respond to his name when
called in court. An attachment was
made out for Lenahan and when found
an hour later he was placed in charge
Of the sheriff in order that he might be
found when needed. In the meantime,
however, Durrant was called to the
stand.
The examination Of Durrant was be-
! gun with the questions relative to his
age and his early life in this CITY.
Coming down to the day upon which
Blanche Lamont was murdered the
prisoner was asked to relate his move
ments from the time he left his home in
the morning until he returned at night.
He said he met Miss Lamont on her
way to school and rode with her on a
street car until he reached Cooper Medi-
! cal college. He said he remained at the
college until 10 o'clock, when he and an
other student named Ross went for q
walk. When he returned an hour later
he went to the library, where he was en-
gagged in his studies until noon. He
then went to luncheon with student
named Diggins, returning at l o'clock
After luncheon Durrant remained ir
the library until $3.50 o'clock, when he
attended DR.. Cheney's lecture. He sale
ne was present at the roll call at the
close of the lecture and answered to his
own name. At the close of the lecture
he says he boarded street car and rode
TO emanuel church for the purpose o.
repairing the sun burners. He de-
MES that he was accompanied b,
Blanche Lamont or anybody else
Upon entering the church h.
said he left his coat and vest in tn.
library. obtained the necessary tool,
and assembled to the gallery. A black
board was provided and Durrant drew
a rude sketch Of the church and it's tai
spire to illustrate the manner in whicl
, he made the repairs. He said to max,
the. repairs it was necessary for him +,
lie at full length on a plank with hi
head much lower than his feet Will,
IN this position he inhaled so much ga,
. that ne was made ill. To illustrate th,
manner in which the gas escaned Dn,,
) rant TOOK burner and descending r
, the jury box explained the constructio,
OF the burner to the iurv