The Indianapolis journal., 1895-11-03
SAYS HE is INNOCENT
THEODORE DURRANT THINKS HE
WILL BE INDICATED AT LAST.
His Feelings When the Verdict Was
plate Taking His own Life.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2-Theodore Dur
rant convicted of murder, is the same self
possessed. quiet, iron-nerved man that he
has been while on trial for his life. He still
maintains his innocence, and, after being
taken back to Jail from the court room,
said to a reporter: 'They say that my dear
little mother screamed when the verdict
was announced It's all like a dream to
me. The first thing remembered was that
her arms were around my neck. Everything
else was cruel, so sudden, so harsh. l felt
safe in her arms. / could stand any injus-
tice, any wrong, but for my mother and
sister,"
What did you want to do or say Just
after the verdict was rendered."
81 wanted TO get up and shout my inno-
cence. Before God I am innocent of that
crime. wanted to get up and call God to
smite me where L stood if my heart and
conscience were not as pure as those who
were bowling with joy that 1 had been
branded a murderer. told everything hon.
estly and fearlessly when 1 was on the
stand. even told things that appeared
against me. Do you suppose If 1 were guilty
that 1 would volunteer the statement about
the stranger who approached me? told it
because il was true, and / told everything
that could recollect. When was first ar
rested / gave my statement. and all have
said since has been materially the same. /
would have got up yesterday. but my moth
er several friends and the chief jailer closed
in around me and held me down. Even so.
do not know WI why did not scream my pro-
did you notice any of the people about
your
yes, some. / saw Mrs. Noble and Maud
and their friends elapping and cheering. 1t
seems to me- with her heart so full Of pity
for her sister, Mrs Noble might have
thought OF my mother. she had all she
binary pity that one might feel for an
others misfortune would have prevented her
from gloating In so cruel manner. Yes, /
prosecutor.thank the jury for doing their
duty I can think OF 1t all now, but yet
have within me the consciousness of my in
nocence, and l shall not break down. L feel
the way must clear and will be vindicated
at last
When asked If he contemplated suicide.
Durrant said: "Never. | think that man
You can rest assured that l will never do
that. / am hopeful, believe me, that the
way will clear. i have kind letters from
friends. Ny father came this evening with
loving messages, and / rest in the assur-
ance that light will come"
Attorneys Dickinson and Duprey, who de-
Tended Durrant insist that their ellen. is an
Innocent man They will ask next Friday
for q new trial. which will probably be de-
MED by Judge Murphy Then the case will
be appealed to the Supreme Court on the
ground that the judge erred in number
of his rulings during the trial. Attorney
Duprey speaking Of the trial and verdict,
said: "It was a newspaper hight, and the
The calm and confident demeanor OF
Durrant continues unruffied. This verdict
he said to-day, docs not affect me at all.
As matter OF fact, there has been nothing
in all this case which has moved me in any
+ way and there will be nothing. / do not
wish to be understood saying that am
insensible to feeling, but know my whole
life and Just what I have and have not
done. and consciousness of innocence
buoys me up"
Detectives Lees to-day received a score OF
telegrams from all over the country con-
graduating them on the outcome or the
trial. The district attorney Is ready TO
proceed i'm the Minnie Williams case, but
Ii is understood that the defense will ask
for a continuance of two months. 1t is ex-
pected that the defense will ask for a
change OF Venue, as Ii is thought II. by
any remote chance. the prosecution fails TO
secure a conviction. the result will be TO
cast doubt over the justice. CT the ver-
dict In the Lamont case. 1T has been IN
timated that the defense may allege insan-
ity as a defense in the Williams case. Many
physicians and experts on mental diseases
argue that the murderer has an abnormal
brain.