The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-04
Durrant Is Almost Positively
Identified as Having Tried
to Sell 1t.
HELD ON THE SECOND CHARGE.
An Exciting Incident Throws the
Accused Into a State of
Nervous Fear.

the Durrant murder cases, already SO pro-
life of the unexpected and extraordinary
during the extended period they have
about absorbed public attention, than that
which was produced Yesterday afternoon
while the preliminary examination of the
prisoner on the charge of having murdered
Blanche Lamont was in progress.
All the forenoon was occupied in hear
ing the testimony of witnesses who had
previously testified at the Coroner's in
quest, and though not the least intima-
ton had been given of the new witness
who was to appear, the courtroom was
filled with spectators, the number of ladies
being much larger than on the day pre-
Vious.
AS soon as the court was called to order
the Assistant District Attorney, Hosmer,
asked that A Oppenheimer be called to the
stand. The name was straightway recog-
nized by every one in the courtroom as
being one never before mentioned in con-
nection with the case, and a subdued muir
muir could be heard, which clearly indi-
Gated that expectation was al high pitch.
Heads were bent forward more eagerly
than usual and there soon ensued calm
that was almost painful.
The surprise of the spectators was clearly
shared by the court, the prisoner and his
attorneys, and the witness, as soon as he
appeared became the target for all eyes.
When he announced that he was a dealer
in secondhand goods the curiosity of the
audience, as shown by their strained and
fixed eyes, became even more intense, if
that were possible.
AS he related the story of a man who he
was almost positive was Durrant coming
to his place of business at 405 Dupont
street, some time between the 4th and 10th
of April last, and trying to sell him the
ring which he recognized on the stand, and
which had previously been identified as
one worn by the murdered girl at the time
she disappeared, the low murmur which
had greeted the first mention of his name
was revived and grew till it subsidized in
audible signs of relieved strain when his
tale was ended.
While the questioning of this witness
by the prosecution was in its early stages
Durrant and his attorneys smiled in a
manner to imply their entire incredulity
of the testimony of the witness, but as his
story was filed in with all the minor
details as the examination progressed their
expressions settled into seriousness.
IfOppenheimer's testimony is not shaken
when the case is tried in the Superior
Court it will prove, it is claimed by the
prosecution, one of the strongest links in
the chain of evidence against the accused.
After court was declared adjourned an
exciting episode occurred which threw
Durrant into such a state of nervous fear
that he nearly drew blood from his lips as
he chewed them between his teeth.
While the spectators back Of the railing
which separates the spectators from the
attorneys table, near which the prisoner
was seated, were rising from their seats
preparatory to leaving, one Of them, a
young man, jumped upon a seat just back of
the railing to get a good view of the prisoner.
This persons anxiety to get view of the
accused caused the officer in charge of
Durrant to keep watchful eye on him,
and when he leaped upon the seat the
officer grasped Durrant pushing him SO
that he was shielded by the officers body,
and then the latter motioned for one of
the attaches of the court to look after the
troublesome spectator. The latter, how
ever, had become so frightened at the ex-
element he created that he rapidly made
his way out of the courtroom and disap-
peared. The scene was of very short dura-
,
all interested in him into state of excite
ment. The officer said he feared that an
attack was meditated on the prisoner. The
latter was still keenly suffering from the
effects of the incident when he was locked
up in his cell for the night.
Martin Quinlan was the first witness yes
terday. He testified that he was an attor-
ney- at-law, and resided at 1921 Mission
street. On the Sd of April, about 4 :15 P. NJ,
was in the immediate vicinity of Twenty
second and Bartlett streets. He knew
Durrant by sight. On this occasion he
left the Valencia-street car at TWENTY
second street and was walking very slowly
down the right-hand side of Twenty
second, toward Mission. When about 100
feet from Bartlett street, he saw couple
"a gentleman and lady-walking very
slowly along Bartlett from Twenty-frst to
Twenty-second. The couple passed within
three feet of him. He remained on the
corner and looked after them. The last
he saw of them they were almost twenty
five feet from Twenty-second street on
Bartlett street, on the south side of the
street This was near the Emmanuel Bap-
fist Church.
The lady had on dark dress, made of
heavy material. Her hat was rather large.
One of the couple had package of books.
He was satisfied thev were carried by the
lady. They looked like schoolbooks.
Quinlan said he was certain the defend
ant was one of the couple he saw on that
occasion.
The skirt, waist and hat worn by Miss
Lamont were shown the witness, and he
said he believed they were those worn by
Miss Lamont on that day. He would not
positively identity them as being the same.
On cross-examination by Attorney Dick
inson he said he had seen the defendant
on several occasions before the Sd of April
on Mission and Twenty-second streets, but
could give no dates. He did not know the
prisoners name till after his areest. His
face was familiar to him for about a year
He saw him passing on the street. Never
saw him in the church. Quinlan con-
tinued:
l rode with defendant two or three times on
street cars. Saw him three or four times on
the street. Had impression that 1 had seen
him on Bartlett street, near Twenty-third, on
one occasion.
/ first spoke to Detective Anthony three or
four days after DuTrants arrest about having
seen the couple on Bartlett street, near Twenty
second street. Told him If could fix the date
would be willing to be q witness against the
defendant. Saw Durrant in prison after his
arrest and recognized him as the gentleman
with the lady on the day mentioned. II was
after this l saw Detective Anthony. Told him
had recognized Durrant as the man who was
with lady on Bartlett street, near Twenty
second, early in April, but could not hx the
date. 1 would try to do SO, however, II my
Testimony would be of any value. j saw De-