The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-26
THE DEFENSE OPENS.
Durrant's Counsel states What He Ex-
poets to Prove.

San Francisco Sept. 25.-The department
of the superior court n which Theodore
Durrant is on trial for the murder cf
Blanche Lamont VAS a scene Of excitement
this morning. The announcement by the
district attorney that The people rest"
and the subsequent statement Of the at
torneys for the defense that they would
be ready 10 proceed TODAY drew % the 'lty
hall 4 crowd which could not secure
admittaAca to a room ten times the ssZc
OF the apartment set apart for the trial
The fact that the defense in its opening
statement would reveal To- the first ,imC
the nature Of its evidence relied upon tor
an acquittal served TO arouse public inter
est to degree never before seen in Cali
fornia al a trial Of A man for his life. The
heat Of the sultry day was intensified in
the crowded court room packed with w0m-
en- and prominent persons. Although the
occasion was OF the greatest importance
70 Durrant. he was the most cool and iu,-
passive individual present
The defense frat called for further Cross
examination Of Detective Gibson. Deputy
Coroner Hallett and Mrs Leak. Tne last
mentioned was questioned regarding her
eyesight. maintaining that IL vas good and
that she had never had any optical trouble
Gibson said that he had found hatchet
IN the belfry on the occasion Of his second
examination and the coroner testified that
Lamont in the belfry. the mouth Of the
dead girl was slightly open.
Gibson denied a newspaper interview ln
which he was ma 10 70 say he saw foot
prints IN the dust On the stairs 0f the bel
fry made by No. s or shoes. he denied
all knowledge Of the alleged footprints.
Attorney Eugene Deuprey. for the de-
fense. then began MS opening statement
His intimati3n that the murder was rot
committed bv Durran. bat hy Rev. John
George Gibson. pastor 0f Emanuei church.
made in a significant aIuslon 10 the =
senolance 0f the preachers handwriting
with the lettering ou the paper inclosing
Blanche Lamonts rings, created marked
sensation.
The address of Deuprey began with d.
nitions OF the duties 81 jurors in capital
cases he attacked the newspapers for
the articles written ana published con-
caruiug Durrant and warned the Jury
against improper deductions from clrcum-
etantial evidence Deuprey then said.
The district attorney has produced
strong case cf clrcums iauttal evidence.
which az nrst would create strong sus-
uiclon of the guilt Of defendant. We
c1a!m tna- beyond "A strong suspicion the
prosecution has failed 20 50. We contend
that with ali the testimony introduced
the only questions 20 be passed on Hase
not been answered Where dl1 Blanche
Lamont forfeit her ltfee Waen did she
meet her DEATH Who caused her death
These questions have not hccu answered
fourth Question - the cause cf DO D.
4 nth has not aEI can never 81 ans" er-
"a Whst was the motive ~ accused 90
t4Ls .he 10 o. Blanche Lamont lHGer
.as testimony We claim tae right 20 ask
-he rqgrt g. tEts ttuus 20 irsjrIct tlte jury
without aae word 20 aeqsHt bag as 3 futy
10 the defendant hts parents an1 he cou-
rrt1~s-y- MS lips saoul1 - unseaied lau ars
s-rffgad 20 know and shall know Rhere
D1v~art VAS aua whsr be aid or Aprh
? from me tlrne he arose ln the morning
.l--1 h- went 20 hsd ~ night TIE DIS
-rt~r attorney promised 20 saow that Dur
-.-t vrsz n.t w here ne should have been
IN ,ne afternoon ~ April 3. namely A.
-ra lecture room of Cooper medical co!-
seve Where Is tazt promised proof No
sT5.et-r 70 fr has been r7ate- me oe-
rarsa has called between f7Tty ard nfEy
-e.rrsss@s of. that number iea nave
gwen material evidence Ehfee r.2ef+f
tsta-s -hrsf ve.inr ta1tes. a EsaFs lsFokfT.
zIetorsa hatslEeeTer. p74ice e'uFt
shvx4e~ ana hts colleague ha+e IEiraisf"f1
49,. s7,fss-artlal -escl lsnonE upon niea
,ba r-esecgtson relies We insist that
49, -,-ao.- rro-g ss @4urtaE - esnnett
sba secsnaart wlfn trse murder We = 90
eF-ur nat otf.er men hs8 access 20 kyna1a-
,sf .aureh. Tae proof Tnay p'nt p
sfnerE
ursn v-asca We wIl ask sor a verdict Tor