The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-26

mated to the greatest possible degree. The
story of the crime will lose none of its
tragic interest by the omission of the OBJ
jectionable features that could be easily
pressed to the attention of the public. In
fact the natural human interest will be in
creased rather than diminished by rele-
eating to the background unpleasant theo-
ries that have occupied the minds of some
of the detectives and few newspaper cor
respondents ever since the date of the
double murder in Emmanuel Church,
William Henry Theodore Durrant was
placed on trial for his life yesterday for
the Emmanuel Church murders. Judge
Murphy denied his application for a
change of venue, and as a consequence the
community which was Mortified at the
brutal butcheries of Blanche Lamont and
Minnie Williams viii bear the expense of
the trial of the man accused of the crimes.
The decision of Judge Murphy on the
application was not wholly unexpected.
In fact, it is just barely possible that the
attorneys for the defense would have been
as much surprised as anybody else had the
application been granted. In the cele-
brated Goldenson murder case similar
motion, even more strongly backed than
the one presented by Durrant's attorneys,
was denied by Judge Murphy some years
ago, his position being sustained later by
the Supreme Court. Remembering this
and knowing the confidence with which
the District Attorney had announced that
he was prepared to resist the Durrant ap-
plication, the people came to the conclu-
sion that the rule established in the
Goldenson case would be carried out. The
attorneys for the defense, of course, had
nothing to say IN the matter, but it is safe
to conjecture that they were aware of
Judge Murphy action in the former mat
ter and had merely made the application
to save what rights they might have in the
matter.
If however, the defense ever really de-
sired the change of venue there is Just
one ray of hope for them yet. In denying
the application mis- Honor stated that if
later they believed there existed the neces-
sity for a change in the place of trial he
would grant them leave to renew the ap-
plication.
The general impression that the change
Of venue would not be granted and that
the trial would proceed at once drew out
an extra large number of persons, and
shortly after o'clock the corridors around
Department of the Superior Court were
crowded with the curious. They wanted
Just that one feeting glimpse of the pris-
oner, which they knew they could get as
he was whisked up the stairs and across
the hall to the courtroom, even if they
were not permitted to occupy seats in the
tribunal at the inception of the trial. The
patience of the watchers was taxed to the
limit. however, as Chief Jailer Sattler
failed to put in an appearance with his
charge until about five minutes before the
hour for the converting of court, and pris-
oner and custodian passed through the
darkened passageways so quickly that the
door had closed behind them almost ere
the throng was aware that the object of
their morbid curiosity had come and gone.
Promptly at 10 o'clock Judge Murphy
took his seat on the bench and called the
case of the People VS.. W. II. T. Durrant.
Counsel for both sides answered ready and
the days proceedings were begun. The
prisoner sat at his ease between his father
and Jailer Sattler, looking the one in the
courtroom least interested IN what was
about to take place. Over in the iury-box
Captain Lees was in earnest conversation
with young Mr.. Lynch, the very clerical
looking secretary of the Rev. j. George
Gibson of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Facing the bench sat the detectiye-in-chief
for the defense, Harry n. Morse, in close
conversation with Messrs. Dickinson and
Deuprey. The courtroom was filed to
overlooking with the citizens who lad been
summoned on the jury panel and favored
few who had been enabled to gain admit
lance by virtue of passes issued by Sheriff
Whelan. Among these were half dozen
ladies, drawn thither by that excusable
curiosity which demands a sight of the
celebrated, criminal or otherwise, with
which the masculine element seems to be
as largely tinctured as the feminine.
Upon the announcement of counsel that
they were ready Judge Murphy went
directly to business.
Proceed, Mr.. District Attorney" he
said.
81 have to present to your Honor" said
Mr.. Barnes, rising, a package of papers in
his hands, certain affidavits in opposition
to the defendants motion for a change of
venue already made"
He then proceeded to unrol the papers
and read the affidavit of Edward Mills. as
follows:
am an adult citizen of the State of Califor-
MIA, by occupation merchant, and reside at BIB
Fell street. in this City and County, and am
competent to give testimony herein. believe
that while there is considerable public interest
in this case, believe that there is no prejudice
now existing in the minds of the citizens of
the City and County. which would jeopardiZe
or inlnre the rights of the defendant herein, or
which would prevent him from having per-