Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-11-02
DURRANT FOUND GUILTY.

Durrant was convicted of the murder
of Blanche Lamont, for which he has
been on trial since July % last. The
jury was out twenty minutes, and ar
rived at the verdict on the first ballot.
As there was no recommendation CT
mercy, the punishment was fixed at
death.
The verdict was received with
shout of applause from the auditors
who packed the courtroom.
The district attorneys perorstion
was an able effort. He said that link
by link the chain had been welded un-
til it had been shown beyond any
doubt that Durrapt had murdered
Blanche Lamont on April 3 by strangu-
lation.
The charge of Judge Murphy occu-
pied little over an hour in delivery.
1t was a cold statement of the law un-
relieved by any side dissertation.
Suppressed excitement was mani
tested throughout the courtroom and
the corridors outside during the wait
which succeeded the departure of the
Jury There was a great deal of specu
lation as to how long the jury would
remain out. The general opinion among
those who had followed the trial was
that an agreement would soon be reach
ed, but owing to the mass Of evidence,
it was thought possible that the jurors
might remain out all night.
The jury, or reaching the room, Sc
lected Warren Dutton for foreman and
%ba,. hoIlnta1 Tho Er-t ho11 nt fr.,-
murder in Che first degree. Word was
Immediately sent to the court room,
and Judge Murphy sent for the jury.
While this was going on Durrant sat be-
beside his counsel, conversing with his
mother and several of her lady friends.
AS soon as Mrs. Durrant learned that
the jury was coming in her demeanor
changed from one of gaiety and look
of dread came to her face which was not
reflected iu that of the son. He stoical-
ly watched the jurymen as they took
their seats, as if to get from their fea-
lures the import of the verdict which
their early return portended.
AS forman Dutton pronounced the
verdict of guilty of murder in the first
degree the large audience, which had
listened in perfect silence for words
which he was to utter, rose and uttered
q yell which echoed far out in the cor
ridors.
Most of those in the audience were
women. The cries which went up from
them fell upon the ear Of the convicted
murderer's mother like blow, anG it
seemed to bring her first realization of
the force of the words of the jury's fore
man. Her face was averted, as she had
neryed herself for the ordeal; but
though possessed of marvellous courage,
cry burst from her lips, followed by
hysterical outburst of sobs.
AS he listened intently to the words
which sealed his fate, Durrant par
TALLY rose from his seat. The look on
his face was one of defiance and it was
apparent that he had it in mind to ad-
dress the jury. The first cry from his
mother changed his mind, if he had
such intention.
He sat down, turned to his mother
and took her fondly in his arms. She
rested her head upon his shoulder and
with his left arm about her slender
form he held her in tender embrace,
psttipg her with his left hand and with
his right stroking her hair.
Judge Murphy announced that next
Friday he would pass sentence upon
Durrant and at the same time he would
fix the time for beginning the trial of
Durrant for the murder of Minnie Will
liams.
The verdict of the jury meets with
general appreciation. Durrant takes it
coolly and says he has not yet lost
hope. His attorneys will take an ap-
peal to the Supreme Court on bill of
exceptions, the material for which ac-
cumulated during the trial.