The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-28
TO ANSWER THE CHARGE,
w. II, T. Durrant Formally
Charged With the Murder of
Blanche Lamont.
A SPOT ON a D00RKN0B.
Emmanuel Church CongregationWiIl
Worship in Grace Methodist
Church.

William Henry Theodore Durrant was
finally charged yesterday morning with
the crime of numbering Blanche Lamont
in Emmanuel Baptist Church on April 8
last.
The complaint was sworn out by Detec-
tive John Seymour in Judge Conlan's
court yesterday morning. He ana De-
tective Anthony have had charge of the
investigation into the murder of Miss
Lamont. Seymour took the warrant to
the City Prison, and Durrant was sum-
moned from his cell.
When informed of the charge to be en-
tered against him he remarked in a surly
tone, "How many more things are you 60
ing to charge me with? Seymour took
no notice of the question. While Seymour
was reading the warrant Durrant sullenly
kept his eyes fixed upon the floor. HIS
answers to the usual questions as to his
name, age, occupation and place OF oirth
were given reluctantly.
When he was put back in his cell he
threw himself YEARLY into a chair, picked
up a periodical and commenced to read 1t.
1t was the original intention of Chief
Crowley to defer filing the complaint
against Durrant in the Lamont case until
the conclusion of the Coroner's inquest,
which will commence on Tuesday morn
ing. but acting upon the advice OF District
Attorney Barnes he decided to charge him
yesterday, and the complaint was accord
inglv sworn out by Detective Seymour.
1t was stated in the CALL several days
ago that the Grand Jury would IN all prob
ability be requested to indict Durrant for
the Lamont murder, which would render a
preliminary examination IN the Police
Court unnecessary and obviate the neces-
sitv of the prosecution showing its hand.
That idea has not been abandoned, and
will likely be carried into effect.
1t has been conceded all along that the
police have a much stronger case against
Durrant for the Lamont crime than IN the
Williams case. 1t is, of course, circum-
stantial but they say it will be impossible
for the defense to break the chain OF EVIL
dence.
Durrant's temper, which he has kept
under control in q wonderful manner, Is
beginning to show itself. He has become
mOrOse and irritable. The prison au-
thorities are inclined to attribute the
change to opiates which have been Sc
cretly given him by visitors. This sus-
piciOn has arisen from the fact that dur
ing the first two o. three nights he was in
prison his sleep was disturbed to such an
extent as to make him cry out loud enough
to be heard all over the prison. Since
then he has slept so soundly that the noises
in the prison, which would wake an or
binary sleeper, have no impression upon
him. TIE effect of the Opiates would be
to make him nervous and irritable in his
waking hours.
The prison officials have kept close
watch upon visitors, but they have been
unable to catch any one in the act OF hand
ing him any medicine. They cannot search
visitors, as the prison is only place of de-
tention.
Chief Crowley had a talk with Desk Ser
geant Shields yesterday about the trouble
with Durrant on Friday night. The Chief
told the sergeant he should remember
that Durrant had not been convicted Ofany
offense
He is a prisoner behind the bars said
the Chief, while you are a free man.
want him to nave every privilege to which
a prisoner is entitled-neither more nor
less. Let him say what he likes; it will
harm no one, and you shouldn't pay any
attention to anything he says"