The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-09-28
DURRANT'S bad CASE
1t Looks as if Sweet Peas Will, Never
Save Him.
DRY GAS JET TESTIMONY
The Prisoner Maintains His Stoical
Demeanor and His Mother
Chats and Smiles-The
Father Is Careworn.
DRY GAS JET TESTIMONY

San Francisco. Sept. Elf Theodore
Durrant has anything tangible upon
which to base his denial of the charge
that he murdered Blanche Lamont and
Minnie Williams. his attorneys have
failed to give satisfactory evidence of
the fact. After two days devoted TO
the testimony Of the defense the trial
was adjourned at noon to-day until
next Tuesday. In the meantime. how
ever. the defense had disclosed enough
to satisfy the prosecution that Dur
rants attorneys are cropping in the
dark In the hope that something may
develop within the next few days TO
save the prisoners life. The weakness
of the defense Is made more apparent
at this time on account of the extrav-
agant assertions that Durrant's attor-
neys have uniformly made since the
beginning Of the trial. When the pros
ecution was engaged in putting In Its
case and the situation looked darkest
for the young Sunday school superln-
tendent. Attorney Duprey was accus-
toned to snap his fingers and remark
that he had no fears for the future OF
his client. I'VE will clear him in three
minutes said Duprey, "and the public
will be at loss to understand how
Durrant's name was ever connected
with the case"
II further proof were needed OF the
belief that the defense has little to
offer in refutation Of the case put for
ward by the prosecution. 1t was fur
nished to-day. Instead OF placing wit
nesses on the stand to testify to some
material fact in connection with Dur
rants alleged alibi, the two gas filters
were called to testify with regard to
the sun burners In the gallery Of
Emanuel church. For two hours the
crowd was bored and the jury made
tired by long series of questions and
answers relative to the minutest part
Of the construction Of sun burners.
A significant feature Of the testi-
mony Of the two gas filters was the
fact that each testified that he made
an examination Of the sun burners in
Emanuel church on Sept. q. The pros
ecution interprets this to mean the de-
Tense had nothfng upofi which to base
a case until the case of the people was
nearly complete. Only when confront
ed by the actual necessity of opening
its case. It is believed that the defense
made an attempt to secure witnesses
to testify with regard to the condition
Of the sun burners. The apparent hope
lessness Of his case, however. produces
no change In the demeanor of Durrant.
Day after day he sits In the court
room beside his father and mother and
listens to the evidence against him
without a sign of emotion. The sto-
icism Of the prisoner Is only surpassed
by that Of his mother. Mrs. Durrant
seems to have no conception of the
gravity Of her sons position. Attired
in waving plumes and a tailor made
gown such as a lady might wear at
matinee. she laughs and chats with her
friends. while the evidence that the
prosecution believes will hang her son
is being put against him. To frequent
ers of the court room Mrs. Durrants
conduct is almost as unfathomable as
that Of her son. Durrant's father,
however, looks careworn and gives evil
dence Of the intense mental strain
through which he must be passing.