The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-09-28
DURRAAT's AlIBI A FAILURE
Attorneys For the Defence
Cropping in the Dark.
Inc Fxtravagant Assertions Made by
Them at the Opening Have Not aeen
sustained-rhe stoioi.m of tho Pris-
oner Only Fqualed by That of His
mother-Her Conducts Mystery.

SAN FRANCISCO, Gala, Sept. EFF
Theodore Durrant has anything .ano,bla
upon which to base his denial OF the
charge that he murdered Blanche
Lamont and Minnie Williams, his at
torneys have failed to give satisfac .ory
evidences OF the fact. After two DAYS.
devoted to Testimony OF the defense.
the trial was adjourned at noon TO-DAY
until next Tuesday.
In the meantime, however, the de-
fense has disclosed enough 10 satisfy
tho prosecution that Durrant's ATTORNEYS
are cropping in the dark In the hope that
something may develop within the
next few days to save the prisoners life.
The weakness Of the defense is made
more apparent at this time on account
OF the eX!rsvagant assertions that Dur
rants attorneys have uniformly made
sircs t. trial began.
The same line of extravagant claims
was continued when Attorney Duprey
made his opening speech for the de-
ienso MOT only will the prisoner tell
with his own lips the simple story Of his
Ills on the day that Blanche Lamont
WAS murdered" said Duprey, "but DR..
cheney will tell you that Durrant was
at tho Cooper Medical College at the
very hour when the murder of Blanche
Lamont Ia said to have taken place.
Besides that, we will prove to you that
Durrant never tried to pawn Miss La
monts ring at Opoenheim's store. On
the contrary we will bring forward the
young man who did try to pawn ring
ct Oppenheim's similar to one worn by
Miss Lamont"
In view OF these startling statements,
1t was hrss believed tina. the defense
might have strong case held in re-
serve, which >uld pua 60 d severe test
the case OF the prosecute ion. In one
day, however, the case of me defense
crumblcd and fell OF It's own weight.
and TO day Durran.'s alihi has not = leg
upon which 10 stand. Dr.. Cheney, who
was expected to toll so much for the
defense, was as strong witness for tho
prosecution as has taken the stand dur
Ing the trial. Instead OF fulfilling
Duprey's statement, and swearing that
Durrant attended a lecture at Coopsr
Medical College on April ,. no said he
had no recollection OF seeing the young
medical student there. The denial
dumbfounded the Defense
The apparent hope lessness OF his case.
ho"ever, produces no change in the de-
meanOr OF DurrBnt. Day after day he
sits In the courtroom beside his father
ana mother and listens to the evidence
against him without q sign of emotion.
This stoicism on the part of the prisoner
10 only surpassed by that Of his mother.
Mrs Durrant seems to TO have no con-
ception OF the gravity of her sons sit
uation ALFRED in waving plumes and
tailor made gown, such as q lady
might wear at u matinee, she laughs
and chats with her friends while the
evidence that the prosecution believes
Will hang her son is being put in against
him. 10 frequenters of the courtroom
Mrs. Durrant's conduct Ia almost as un.
fathom able as that Of her eon Durrant's
fathor, however, looks careworn and
gives evidence Of the intense mental
strain through which he must be
assipg.