The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-10-10
DURRANTS TESTIMONY.
The Accused Murderer's Evidence
in Defense of His Life,
HIS REMARKABLE SELF CONTROL

The Prisoner Tells His story without a
Quaver and Creates Good Imp PRESTON 90
the Crowded Court Room-A General De-
nial of discriminating Testimony.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1O.-Theodore Dur
rant, assistant superintendent of Emanuel |
church Sunday school, was placed on the |
stand yesterday for the purpose of con /
vincing the jury that he did not murder |
Blanche Lamont in the belfry of the church |
on April 80. With the same GOODNESS that |
has characterized his conduct since his ar
rest, he denied the principal allegations |
that have been made against him by the
most important witnesses for the prosecu- |
ton. His answers were always brief and |
to the point, and by many were inter |
preted to mean that he had studied his
part well before taking the stand.
Only once during the course of the direct
examination did he show any nervousness
or hestancy. When Attorney Dickinson
asked him if he took notes at DR.. Cheney
lecture on the afternoon of April he cast
his eyes toward the floor and for moment
was silent. He replied that he had taken
notes, but that they were brief The hesi-
fancy of the prisoner may be understood
when it is explained that Gilbert f. Gra-
ham, one of Durrants most intimate
friends, will testify that Durrant asked to
borrow his notes of the lecture. When the
request was made Durrant explained that
he only needed the notes TO establish "a
good alibi Graham refused the request,
Taken altogether, Durrants direct tes-
timony probably had tendency to
strengthen his case. His demeanor while
m be ft,1x int To
impress the jury with the opinion that he
was telling the truth. Questions that would
ordinarily cause visible impression on a
guilty man were answered by Durrant
with the utmost unconcern. Even when
Attorney Duprey asked him if, on the third
of April, or at any other time, he murdered
or participated in the numbering of
Blanche Lamont the prisoner coolly re-
piled in the negative.
The examination of Durrant was begun
with the questions relative to his age and
his early life in this city. Coming down
to the day upon which Blanche Lamont
was murdered, the prisoner was asked to
relate his movements from the time he
left his home in the morning until he
returned at night. He said he met Miss
Lamont on her way to school and rode
with her on a street car until he reached
| Cooper Medical college He said he re-
manned at the college until 10 o'clock,
when he and another student named Ross
went for walk When he returned an
hour later, he went to the library, where
he was engaged in his studies until noon.
| Then he went to luncheon with a student
named Diggins, and returned at l o'clock.
After luncheon Durrant remained in the
library until $50 o'clock, when he attended
DIR. Cheney's lecture. He said he was
present at the roll call at the close of the
lecture and answered to his name.
At the close of the lecture Durrant said
he boarded a street car and rode to Eman-
uel church for the purpose of repairing
The sun burners. He denied that he was
accompanied by Blanche Lamont or any
body else. Upon entering the church he
said he left his coat and vest in the Ii
brary, obtained the necessary tools and
assembled to the gallery. a blackboard was
provided, and Durrant drew a rude sketch
of the church and it's tall spire to illus
trate the manner in which he made the re-
pairs, He said to make the repairs it was
necessary for him to lie at full length on
plank, which was much lower than his
feet In this position h. inhaled so much
gas that he was made i'll.
After repairing the burner Durrant said
that he descended to the auditorium, where
he found George King playing on the or
gan. King remarked that Durrant looked
pale Durrant replied that King would
be in the same condition if he had been
= nearly overcome by escaping gas. AT
Durrants request King bought some
bromo seller, which the prisoner drank.
The medicine made him feel better and
at o'clock Durrant left the church in
company with King
In the evening he went to prayer meet
Noble and asked her if Blanche was com
ing to prayer meeting. Mrs. Noble replied
that she did not believe her niece would be
present He related number of minol
incidents in connection with his converse
tion with Mrs. Noble, who evidently die
not indorse his statements, from the fac
that she shook her head several times. Al
the close of the services Durrant said ht
went home and retired
Durrant denied that on the afternoon O
April 3 he was at the corner of Powell anC
Clay streets, testified to by Mrs. Vogel
He also denied the statement of the thre,
school girls, who testified that Duran
and Blanche Lamont boarded a Powell
: street car at Clay street and rode toward
Market. He said he did not ride on a wes
bound Valencia street car with Blanche
Lamont, las testified to by Mrs. Crossel, ,an(
. declared he was never in Oppenheimer'i
pawn shop.