The record-union., 1895-05-10
DURKANT TALKS.
Says He Will Mako the Greatest Legal
Battle in tho History OF the state.

Battle in tho History OF the state.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 9.-An evening
paper publishes statement made by
Theodore Durrant to a friend, in which
the man charged with the murder of the
girls in Emmanuel Church said that he
would make the greatest legal battle in
the history of the State, and expressed
his confidence regarding the outcome,
predicting that he would soon be free
man. In addition to the three attorneys
already engaged for the defense, DurranI
has retained a well-known criminal
lawyer, George A. Knight, and says the
case will be pushed to speedy trial.
There are good many things against
me-" Durrant is quoted as saying, but
fear Harry Partridge, who testified that
he had answered roll-cal tor me on April
Sth, more than any other witness. If
Partridge persists in his statement he
will hang me, but my attorneys will see
him and perhaps he will change his
mind. did him many good turn, and
often answered roll-cail for him. l hope
he won't continue against me-"
The prosecution does not understand
Durrant's fear of Partridge, whose testi-
muny is c0rroborated. ADrl Sth was the
last day Durrant visited Minnie Will
Jams in Alameda. Durrant denies that
he offered a ring TO Oppenheimer, the
pawnDroker, or any one else. He says
Oppenheimer is a tool of the police, and
has frequently given similar testimony
in other cases. Durrant is studying
medical books, and says upon his release
he will continue his course until gradual
ton.
DURRANT OF ENGLISH DESCENT.
Los ANGELES, May "a clipping from
Go Ey-ov, ,Oic oto
dore Durrant, the alleged murderer of
Minnie Williams and Blanche Lamont,
was OF Hungarian ancestry, was shown
to Thomas Durrant, grandfather of the
accused young man. to-day. The old
man read the article and remarked:
That is news to ME. My grandson is of
English descent. 1 was born in Eug-
land myself in the village of Holt
County, Norfolk, about ten miles from
Sandringhan Palace, the Prince of
Wales country seat. So far as | know
all the Durrants are English. The fam
lily name. when accenting the last sylla-
BILE, sounds French, but, properly pro-
nounced, the accent is on the first sylla-
BILE, which makes it quite English. The
story that l came to this country from
Austria is absurd"
land and settled in Canada in 1854 being
located in Toronto for many years, from
which place the family emigrated to CAL
ifornia in 1882 He came from San Fran
cisco to Los Angeles about two years ago.
mo; do not consider my grandson
guilty." said the old man. "Knowing
the boy SO well, do not think it possible
that he could have committed such a
crime. There is strong circumstantial
evidence against him, admit, but not
strong enough to convict him. / have
yet failed to note any circumstance to
connect him directly with the killing of
either of the girls. If it can DO proved
beyond doubt that he is guilty, then
hope the law may take its course. l
would not raise my hand ia save him
from the gallows, if l believed him
guilty."
When asked who he thought was the
guilty party, if his grandson was inno-
cent Mr.. Durrant said undoubtedly some
one connected with Emmanuel Church,
and as familiar with the premises as
Theodore but who it was he could not
conjecture. Ii the detectives had arrested
all parties who had access to the church,
and not confined their investigation
solely to his grandson, the real culprit
might have been discovered.
Theodore Durrant's father was in Los
Angeles several months ago, trying to
interest some capitalists to join him in
establishing q shoe factory here. He had
plant at Oakland which he desired to
remove to this city, but did not receive
the proper encouragement. He was after
ward obliged to sell it, and the elder Dur
rant says his son Has already bankrupted
himself in trying to defend Theodore.