The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-28
UTTER COLLAPSE OF THE kLIsl.
Two GaSfitters Put on the Stand and
Questioned, TO Kill Time.
Attempt 10 Explain Durrent's Alleged
Asphyxlatlon by Gas on the Day OF
the Nurder-Mrs. Durrant's De-

=
that he murdered Blanche Lamont and
Minnie Williams. his attorneys have failed
10 give satisfactory evidence of he fact.
After two days devoted to the testimony
OF the defense. the trial was adjourned a
noon today until next Tuesday. in the
meantime, however. the defense lad dis
closed enough to satisfy the prosecution
tnat Durrants attorneys are Ero7lng in
the dark in the hope rhat something may
develop within the next few days 10 save
the prisoners life.
The weakness of the defense IS made
more apparent at this time on account Of
the extTavaganl assertions that Durrant's
attorneys have made since the trial be-
gan. As the prosecution was engaged in
putting IN its case ana the situation
looked darkest for the young sunday
school superintendent. Attorney Deuprey
was accustomed 10 snap his fingers and
remark that he had no fears for he fu-
tuve Of his client. we viii clear Lin in
three minutes" said Deuprey and the
public win be at a loss TO understand
how Durrant's name was ever connected
with the case" The same line OF ex-
travagant claims was continued when
Attorney DeupTey made his opening
speech for the defense. Not only VIII
the prisoner tell you with his own lips
the simple story of his life on the day
Blanche Lamont was murdered, said
DeupreN, nQl DE- tHeArS N4AA AN-A SHN
that Durrant was at Cooper medical col
Iege at the very hour when the murder OF
Blanche Lamont is said to have taken
place. Beside that. we VIII prove 20 you
that Durrant never tried TO pawn Miss
Lamonts ring at Oppenheims store. on
the contrary. we viii bring forward the
young man who did try 10 pawn 4 ing al
Oppenheim similar 70 the one worn oS
Miss Lamont" In view of these startling
was a believed
the defense might have a strong case IN
reserve, which would put 10 a severe test
the case of the prosecution. In one d2N,
however the case Of the defense cFumDied
and fell of its own weight, and today Dur
rants alhi has not a leg upon whlcn 70
stand. DIT. Cheney, who was expected 10
tell so much for the defense, was as
strong a witness for the prosecution as
has taken the stand during the trial IN
stead OF fulnlling Deupreys statement
and swearing that Durrant attended
lecture at Cooper college on Aprh 3, ne
said he had no recollection of seeing the
young medical student there. Ine aenlai
dumfounded the defense.
II further proof were needed of the be-
lief that the defense had nothing 10 Of
fer in refutation Of the case put forward
by the prosecution. 1T was furnished To-
day. Instead Of placing witnesses on the
stand to testify 10 some material tact
in connection with Durrants alleged aiol,
two rasfitters were called TO testify with
regard to the sunburners in the gallery or
Emanuel church. For two hours the
crowd was bored and the jury made tired
hv a long series OF questions and answers
relative to the minutest part of the con-
struction of sunhurners. Net once during
the entire session was the name or
Blanche Lamont mentioned, nor was any
thing said TO indicate that II was not
ali f.aF-' q
a murder trial that was before the court
The evident purpose Of the examination,
however was TO show that the repairing
OF the sunburners would necessarily fe-
suit in the escape Of great deal OF gas
This testimony will he used to substan-
tiate Durrant's statement that he was suf-
fering from partial asphyxiation when ne
came down from the church belfry. trem-
bling and flushed. and met Organlst King
in the auditorium. significant feature
Of the testimony Of the two gasntters was
the fact that each testified that he made
an examination Of tho sunhurners N
Emanuel church on September , Tho
prosecution interprets II that the defense
had nothing upon which TO base case
until the case Of the people was nearly
completed. only when confronted by the
actual necessity Of opening its case IL IL
believed that the defense made an at
ter1pt 10 secure witnesses to teStify with
regard 10 the condition Of the SunbuFneiS
The apparent hopelessness OF his case
produces no change in tho demeanor OF
Durrant Day after day he sits IN the
court room beside his father and 0other
and listens 10 the evidence against him
without a sign Of emotion. The stoicism
OF the prisoner Is only surpassed ny that
Of his mother. Mrs DurTant seems 10
have no conception OF the gravity OF her
sons posiffon Attired in waving plumes
ean "A
might wear AZ a matinee, she laughs and
chats with her friends while the evidence
that the prosecution believes VIII hang
her son Is being put in against him To
freouenters II the court room Mrs puT-
rants conduct is almost as unfathomable
as that of her son. bnrrant tather'
however. looks Careworn and gives every
evidence Of the intense mental strain
through which he must he passing.
The proceedings today opened with The
taking Cf testimony With relation - the
condition Of the helfry door. which vas
produced yesterday by the defense AZ
an exhibit The prosecution moved tEat
the jurors be given an opportunity 20 view
the door bearing marks said 10 have been
made bv Rev John - Gibsop's chisel but
the defense objected that the condition 81
the door had been changed ty reason of
it's removal from the church To tho court
room Capt Lees and officer Russell ~efs
r{ared on the stand ald sWore t7at ia7
door. vas in the same condition a. when -
the church. The defense renewed its Or
ieorion Ga the jury inspecting the door, out
the objection was oyerrule1
Serrt REYNOLDS was recalled and ASKED
with regard 20 tae bloodstafuei shoe found
IN Pastor Glbson's studF. huf he was ua-
ahle ~ give any additional Information On
the subject
Edgar " Carpenter and Robert ="
N'a~tlauI. gas rtters. were called hf TIE
defense and subjected - = long Gamma T.
zion relative ~ sgnbuT7ers- The evident
ru-r7sA II the questions was 20 snow that
from the construction - the burners
great deal a. gas would escape ~ repaired
and rested r8rreDfer said more Eas Wot3f1
.s~ane II on, man were engaged in testing
the burners rha7 II more ver@ employed.
trsgr- sch a. rhe naa would have - tHt1
trs eaz ~ from t1@ basement ana psrH1tf
&, "a escape waIie he assembled 20 ne Eai-
lerv As TO-DAY IS Hebrew 1oi.cav the
court adfourue1 tsu Tuesday morning
Il is now believed that M-s A1nnifr.
taa wtge ~ French lq1o~ dealer. g the
woman who. IL - claimed. saW IAfrahf
enter Emanuel church Gna1coIlll' '4l44e1 sia
the afternoon % April
The health Authorities % a number ~
s+afas have recently made exhaust ve
examinations az the baking powders with
,ns uniform result OF finding the Royal
sursr!or 10 al. others
More Outrage on Armenisn@.