The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-25

There was one phase OF the gas-fttsr'
testimony that remains obscure. 80 lar
as he saw, there were no marks OF
crowbar or jimmy on the belfry door
when he saw it on April 4th. MARKS OF
that sort were found OH the door wnr ,
the police searched the churcn a.teI .ne
murder of Minnie Williams. oomepody
had been trying to get INTO the perry oy
force. The gas-titter saw notnlne OF inns
sort. but his testimony Is oniy negative.
The marks may have been there ana YET
have passed unheeded by man not
looking for such things. A theory adj
vanced by the police is that the man who
killed Minnie Williams wanted to carry
her body up the same dark way, but
found himself unable to break i'll where
he had himself shut the door. That
theory ignores the splashes Of blood that
smeared the walls and floor of the room
in which Minnie Williams was killed.
With such stains in full view, the discov.
cry of the body in any part of the build
ing could only be q question of few
hours, no matter where concealed in the
church. and by placing the bodies to-
gether the murderer would have made
certain tie finding of both.
The attorneys and detectives who are
defending Durrant held an important
conference last night to discuss the case
on the eve of its presentation to the jury.
The conference was a long one. AttoT-
ton to give advice upon certain phases of
the defense which the attorneys will not
discuss.
The gas and electric appliances in the
Emanuel church are now interesting the
defense greatly. On Saturday General
Dickson spent several hours in a careful
inspection OF gas tips and burners. The
testimony already introduced showing that
the gas fixtures were in perfect order
April 3D. has made it necessary for the
defense to find different evidence OF the
state of affairs then existing. The work
feet C ndition on April Sd will probably
testify and Dickson must know some-
thing upon which TO base cross-exami-
nation.
While it is not the purpose OF the pros
ecution to introduce all of the members
of Durrant's class in the direct case,
several young men will be summoned to
show that the accused student was not at
the college Oh that afternoon. Young
Chaser will be particularly important
witness, as he will swear that Durrant
secured from him a knowledge of the
day.
What the defense is to be is quite as
great mstyery now as it was at the pre-
liminary examination.
The prosecution has committed itself
to the theory that Blanche Lamont was
of April Sd. There is absolutely no posi-
tive evidence of that and one theory of
the case would involve q proof that
Blanche Lamont did not die that after
noon. 1t would be necessary at least to
create strong doubt regarding the time
of her death.
There is a reason to believe that Dur
rant will not take the stand in his own
defense, Notwithstanding the fact that
such policy is one which would not
create a good impression. His own adj
missions which are to be brought before
the jury. may, Notwithstanding his pres
ent policy not to go on the stand, force
him to become a witness. Tho prosecu-
tion will show that nurrant shortly after
his arrest told no one that ne had been
overcome by gas. King. In his first in
terview with the police, did not say so,
and Durrant had no reason to believe
that the bromo settler incident was to
be made known.
lie Sllnrly in formed tho newspaper
porters and others who questioned him
that he had gone to the church to repair
the gas and electric apparatus. After he
had told this story King informed Chief
of Police Crowley that Durrant was great
ly overcome on that day. Durrant at
once characterized this assertion as an
untruth. All OF these facts will be brought
out by the prosecution. They demand
SOME answer. particularly as the defense
has now accepted Kings assertions as
the truth. The bromo-seitzer incident
is acknowledged by both sides. and Dur
rant, the prosecution thinks, should give
an explanation of his first position.