Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1895-05-04
OPINION IS DIVIDED
The Question of Whether Durant
is Guilty or Not.
THE ACCUSED REMAINS ON TRIAL.
Defense Making Strong Case and While
the Chief of the Police Believe They
Have the Murderer, Evidence
Is Not Yet Convincing.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27.-There was
as large crowd as ever at the Durant
examination yesterday. The. defense
apparently have no hope of preventing
the prisoner being held aud are de-
voting their efforts to obtaining infor-
nation for use at the trial.
Wolff was the first witness. He re-
peated the story told at the inquest of
his being present at DIR. Vogel's on the
night of the murder, Durant arriving
about $50, leaving the house with Du-
rant and several young ladies, OF ac-
comparing Miss Low home and about
midnight seeing man who resembled
the accused near the church.
During VOLTS cross examination he
was requested to take off his coat but
he refused to do SO. Consul for the de-
fense appealed to the court and Wolff
finally removed the garment. He then
admitted to counsel that it bore re-
semblance to the one worn by Durant.
On the night in question witness wore
dark coat and vest and light trousers
which were now at the ranch at which
he was employed and could be secured
at any time.
George r. King, organist of the
church, was then called for the first
time. He had been organist for two
years, was secretary of the Sunday
school and had helped to arrange the
Sunday school library in company with
Durant, who was superintendent OF the
Sunday school. He had no key to the
side door of the church but had one to
the library. He put the new lock on
the library door, being assisted by Du-
rant who was the only one other than
himself who had key to it. The lock
(which was produced) caused great
deal of discussion among counsel. 1t was
apparent that the defense would main
tain that Durant, having key could
have unlocked the door and that in his
case there was no need why he should
break the lock. The prosecution. on
the other hand, is of the opinion that
as only he and King had keys to the
room, he knew that to have unlocked
the door would have pointed to one OF
them Immediately.
Chief of Police Crowley is OF the opin-
ion that there is not single fact that
points other than to Durant. "Mr.
Gibson has perfect alibi," he said.
I'VE have studied him very carefully. :
Speaking OF the Lamont case, Chrief
Crowley said the police department
would present if possible, stronger
chain of circumstantial evidence than
in the case of Minnie Williams.
Chief Crowley added that at this time
it would not be prudent for him to
make public all the evidence in the
case. but he intimated that new wit
nesses would be produced to show that
Blanche Lamont was last seen alive
with Durant and in the immediate vi
cinity of Emanuel church 1t is now
understood that District Attorney
Barnes will elect to try the Lamont
case in the superior court before TAX
ing up the case of Minnie Williams.
The Durant case was continued until
next Tuesday. 1t is said the defense
at that time will have Wolff present,
dressed as he was on the Friday night
and see whether the witnesses who
saw the man near the church that night
will swear whether or not 1t was Wolff. .