Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-26
DURRANT
Evidencein the Blanche
Lamont Case,
AS SUMMED UP ny tine Arronsn,
CAUSES a SENSATION.
nr,t t,,o - o,ro.,
REV. JN0. G. GIBSON.
1T is CLAIMED HE WILL uE
nRoueHr STRONGLY usDEn
SUSPICION.


san Francisco. Cal, Sept, 2b.-The
department OF the superior court in
which Theodore Durrant Is ON trial
for the murder OF Blanche Lamont
was scene OF excitement this morn
Ing The fact that the defense in its
opening statement would reveal for the
first time the nature OF evidence re-
lied upon for an acquittal served to
arouse public interest to a degree never
before seen In California at a triul OF
man for his life. Although the ocea-
sion was one of the gravest Importance
to Durrant, he was the most cool and
impasslve Individual present
After the cross-eNaminatlon OF some
minor witnesses Attorney Eugene Du-
prey for the defense began his opening
statement His lntim0tion that the
murder was committed, not by Dur
rant. but by Rev. John George Gibson.
pastor OF Emanuel church, and u sig
niiicant allusiOn to the resemblance OF
the preachers handwriting with the
lettering on the paper enclosing
Blanche Lamonts rings, created n
marked sensation He said:
The district attorney has presented
a strong case Of oircumstantial evil
dence which at first would create
strong suspicion OF the guilt Of the de-
PENDANT. We claim that beyond n
strong suspicion the prosecution has
failed to go. Under the testimony thus
far we claim to ask the court at this
time to instruct the jury without one
word, to acqult We insist that the
proper proof is wanting TO connect the
defendant with the murder We will
show that other men had access to
Emanuel church. Proof may point TO
90 a. ma. aQ a.
ground upon which we ask for yer-
diet for the defense.
First, you SHAH hear from the mother
OF Durrant how he was Interested In
church work, and what he did for
Emanuel church. We will tell you
how he met Blanche Lamont and his
associations with her. Mrs. Durrant
Will tell how her son was dressed when
he left home on the morning of April
.. She will tell what her son did that
evening. The good repute and honora-
BILE character OF the defendant VIII be
proved. The attendance at the Gopher
medical college and his general de-
meanor will be shown. on the morning
OF April Durrant left his home and
walked toward the house Of George
King, so that he might have n helper
that evening 10 fix the gas n the
church. He accidentally met blanche
Lamont, whom he told he was on the
way to Kings house, and asked her
TO accompany him. She said that she
did not have time to Accompany him
before school, and requested Durrant Ito
accompany her to school He acQui-
eseed In this and accompanied her as
far as Sutton and Octnvia streets,
where the defendant went on Webster
street to the college.
Or. Cheney will tell you that he was
present at the college. lie VIII show
you that after the lecture he went to
the church, and alone did he walk
into the church. We will show that he
arrived at the church at 4'b5 o'clock,
and not before; that he entered by the
door on the south side that he went
into the library, went to the ceiling by
a ladder and liked the gas burners.
We Will show that when the gas filters
turned on the Eeventy-two gas lets
much gas escaped. Through lack OF
ventilation this gas remained In the
atmosphere near the ceiling, and when
Durrsnt went to the ceiling he inhaled
the gas, which made him sick, as test-
fed by King. You are asked to be-
lieve that this man. accused OF murder,
went directly down to secure Wit
ness of his crime. We Will show that
Durrant was on the platform lying
down, and when King returned went
down 10 the Kitchen to take the seltzsr.
We will show that upon the request OF
King. Durant helped King to curry
cabinet organ down stairs Into the sum
day school ror1m. Then DurrQnt ana
King left the church together, Dnrrnnt
putting ON his coat at the door IL
being King's dinner time. Durrani
walked with him part OF the distance,
then Durrnnt returned home. meeting
a lady on the way to whom ne SAID
the gaa made him sick After dinner
he went to church to an evening enter
talnment.
This Will be the simple story Of the
defendant He viii he corrpborated BY
those who know well and who viii give
reasons why these statements are cor
rect, We will then turn cur at
ten;ion to some evidence found In the
church We Will show that the marks
upon the belfry door are the MARKS OF
a chlsol and that the chiael vas found
In the pastors study IN tool box. We
will show you, as long az they have in-
troduc-d paper mere With letters on
II as compared with letters found IN
Emanuel church, that they are letters
written by Rev. John George Gibson.
II we are 20 act upon suspicious we WI
show you that there arc others who
have been cast Into suspicion. and
worse than the defendant"
After a recess Mrs. Matilda Durrdnt,
mother OF the defendant took the
stand as the first witness foi the de
fe.,.,e She detailed the ehudholi or
The prisoner and hia education al va
,to,,s schools. She testified that on
he morning ~ april . her son was
dre.sed In n blue cheglot suit, the
b;ue trousers OF which Ahe Identified
.7nd lie garment was introduced mi
evidence. -.
Mrs. Durrant stated that her son re-
turned home that evening shortly after
O'clock dressed Ia the same blue chsv-
lot suit. IL wore no 1yerc'at me
family tined that evening az el5, tutl
ne witness said Theodore mad little ap1I
netlt. and did not look wen. AZ n
O'Clock that evening he took hts MOTHER
"a a stss.et car ana when she returned
a, ii So he WAS H. bed AL asl 'f,p.
police Sergeant Reynolds Described
chlsel marks On the betty deet re
searched for the t!nl vita "hi n me
,rarls night have bveu made. rrd mi
he nsstor's stu1y found chlHel bich
dttcd the marks exactly.
na.st.tuN