The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-19
sit on the bench this morning and the search
for four more jurors will be resumed.

for four more jurors will be resumed.
There was just enough of calm yester-
day in the tide of events carrying Theodore
Durrant to the end of the days of his i'm
prisonment-one way or the other-to por-
tend the great legal struggle that will take
place in Judge Murphy's court the present
week.
The prisoner spent the day quietly in the
County Jail, reading most of the time re-
ceiving few intimate friends in the after
noon. He betrayed none of that anxiety
which is supposed to weigh so heavily on
the minds of accused persons, guilty or
innocent. He chatted with his friends in
an offhand, easy manner; laughed when
the laugh appeared to come in and smiled
as the occasion demanded. He dined as
heartily as usual and bore no trace at any
time of any i'll effect the knowledge of
what Mrs. Leak would testify might have
upon him. Altogether his general de-
meanor, in any light it might be consid-
cred, is puzzling. 1t is, as it has been for
weeks, a study for thousands, and no one
has yet been found who could even par
TALLY explain it upon any grounds.
Durranu maintains, as he stated on the
day the discovery of Mrs. Leak was made
satisfactory alibi His attorneys maintain
the same and state their readiness to go to
that proof. Mr.. Deuprey was taking
things easy at his home on Clay street
during the afternoon, so little did the
testimony of Mrs. Leak seem to worry
him, and General Dickinson was still out
in the hills about Ukiah resting up for the
struggle which reopens this morning.
The prosecution was absolutely at rest
for the puhlic eve coul6 coo faaIipo
secure in the strength of the chain of evil
dence that has been linked around the
young prisoner. To the minds of the Off
GERS of the law nothing could be more con-
elusive than the testimony at their SER
vice and they scout entirely the idea that
Durrant is able to prove the suspicion of
an alibi.
To the church on Bartlett street, within
whose four walls the awful murders were
committed, morning and evening services
drew great crowds of people, many being
merely sightseers drawn thither by the
desire to see Pastor Gibson and other
members of the. congregation whose names
have appeared SO prominently in the prints
since the grewsome discoveries. Mrs.
Caroline S. Leak, the all-important witness
for the prosecution, the gray-haired lady
who will testify that she saw Durrant enter
the church with Blanche Lamont on the
fateful afternoon, came out from her
seclusion and, as has been he wont for six
teen years, attended the morning services.
Many well acquainted with the old lady
looked at her with renewed interest in the
pauses in the service, while she escaped
the notice Of mere curiosity seekers from
the fact that she was unknown to them
and no one could gather from her quiet
manner that she was the possessor of in
formation which might turn the scale be-
tween life and death for any one.
Mrs. Leak entered quietly and as soon as
the services were concluded as quietly left
to cross the street to her residence secure
from the intrusion of prying eyes.
Judge Murphy kept close in doors
yesterday, somewhat weakened but nearly
recovered from the effects of his recent
asthmatic attack, and this morning will
resume his seat on the bench ready to go
on with the trial.
At the converting of court this morning
the fifth week of the trial will have been
entered upon with eight Jurors sworn to
try the case to show for the labor of the
past four weeks. The deeper, too, the
clerks reach into the trial jury box the
harder it seems to be to get the necessary
good men and true to make up the neces-
sary twelve. AS is we'll known to every
body not bit of progress was made in the
case last week. Venireman after venire-
man was examined as to his qualifications
coveted jurors were not secured. Attor-
neys of both sides worked diligently and
carefully to protect the interests entrusted
to their care and so close was their scru-
tiny that during the weeks proceedings
but two peremptory challenges were ex-
ercised.
When court adjourned on Friday num-
Der OF citizens on the first half of the venire
OF $50 had neither been examined nor ex-
cused, and 125 on the last half are return
able by the Sheriff this morning. With
these there will be enough to keep the at
tention of the court busy for that portion
OF the day remaining after the time taken
up In presenting to his Honor all the time
worn excuses of gentlemen DESTROYS of es-
Gaping jury duty.
And these excuses-at least the ones
poured into Judge Murphy's ears during
the days that have passed since the trial
com menced-are something fearful, fantas-
tic and wonderful in their various ways.
They show that, if their owners are not
act uated by keen sense of duty, they are
I'M bued with a spirit of righteousness
q orthy of a better cause. Anything from