The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-07-27
Trial Of the Alleged Emanuel
Church Assassin Begun.
A CHANGE OF VENUE ASKED
Articles Printed in Local Papers OF san
Francisco Presented to Sup.
port the Motion.

San Francisco, July 22.-The trial of
William Henry Theodore Durrant for
the murder of Blanche Lamont in the
Emanuel Baptist church last April be-
gan this morning. Upon it's conclusion
he will be tried for the murder of Min
ME Williams, committed in the same
edifice.
The sheriff avoided the crowds that
waited around the Jail and city hall
this morning to see the defendant Dur
rant was taken from his cell at $3.50 and
was driven to the city hall in an open
buggy, accompanied only by the chief
jailer. Crowds waited to see the pris-
oner for hours, but all We're disappoint-
ed. None We're admitted to the court
room but attorneys, witnesses and re-
porters. The attorneys for the defense
moved for a change of venue, with the
privilege of renewing the motion If it
should be found impossible to secure an
| unbiased jury or should such a state Of
feeling be developed as would make
fair trial improbable. In support Of
the motion Durrant presented a bulky
affidavit containing all the articles pub
lished in local papers connecting Dur
rant with the Emanuel Baptist church
murders. The reading occupied the en-
tire day and win be resumed tomorrow.
! Durrant's incarceration has made him
paler, but stouter During the court
proceedings he displayed no feeling and
little interest.
VICIOUS PLAY CONDEMNED.
San Francisco, July 22.-Local clergy
men are making vigorous protest
against the production of THE Durrant
Case" a play based on the Emanuel
church murders, which was recently
written. In preaching on the subject
last evening Rev. w. w. Case of the
Howard Street Methodist church said:
1.-The dramatization of the horrible
murders at the Emanuel Baptist church
should be condemned. Theaters and
theater managers who would put such a
play on the boards would do more tC
corrupt the youth of the city than al
the hell-holes of iniquity that flourish
so abundantly in San Francisco. Such
plays would tend to cultivate a morbid
spirit and lead the young men and wo
men on the way to destruction"
Last April, San Francisco was thrown
into a frenzy of excitement by the dis
: covery in Emanuel church of the out
! ragged bodies of Blanche Lamont ant
Minnie Williams, two young girls VIII
had been members of the congregation
Suspicion pointed to Theodore Durrant
a young medical student and also
member of the church. He was arrest
ed and held for trial. At the coroner
inquest and preliminary examination
: it was shown that Durrant had been at
tentive to both girls; that the da
Blanche Lamont disappeared he ha
Q been in her company and that on tina
afternoon he was seen in the churc
II greatly excited and in a disheveled cor
dition. 1t was also shown that he ha
n an appointment to meet Minnie WI
l. liams on the night she was murdere
T and witnesses will testify that they sa'
n two people resembling Miss William
u and Durrant enter the church that ever
ing. Miss Williams purse was ais
!, found in Durrant's pocket after he ma
4 been arrested.
"a The police and attorneys for the pro
s. ecution say that Durrant's convictic
d is certain. On the contrary Durral
II and his attorneys are supremely conf
lie dent and say that an alibi can be prove
le that will shatter the case as soon as Il
- taking of testimony begins. The pr
i, liminaries of the trial have all bee
70 arranged and tomorrow morning Il
ie work of selecting a jury will commend
e. Owing to the widespread notoriety
~ the case, and the countless theories a
as vanced by almost everyone, it is antiC
at pated that there will be considsrat
~ difficulty in securing IL men in S;
=, Francisco competent under the law
liz decide Durrant's fate.