The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-26
PLEA OF GOOD CHARACTER
Questions the CredibiIity of Witnesses
for the Prosecution
Durrants Mother the First Witness to Tes.
tify for the Defense
A Letter Of Vital Importance, but Probably
aFrnud, as 1t Was Not Referred
to in the Opening
Statement
Associated Press Special Wire

San FRANCISCO Sept. 25.-The de.
partment of superior court in which The
odore Durrant is OH trial for the murder
of Blanche Lamont was the scene of ex-
citement this morn ing. The announce
ment by the district attorney yesterday
that 1.-THE people rest and the subse-
quent statement of the attorneys for the
defense that they would be ready to pro-
Cced today drew to the city hall a crowd
which could not secure admittance to
room ten times the size of the apartment
set apart for the trial The fact that the
defense i'll its opening statement would
reveal for the first time the nature of tn
evidence relied upon for an acquttal
served to arouse public interest to de-
grae never before seen in California at
trial of a man for his life. The heat of
the suitry diy was intensified in the
crowded court room packed with ladies
and prominent persons. Although the
occasion was of the greatest Importance
to Durrant, he was the most cool and i'm
passive individual present. The defense
first called for further cross. exam ination
Detective Gibson, Deputy Coroner Hallett
and Mrs. Leak. The last mentioned was
questioned regarding her eyesight, main
tanning that it is good and that she had
never had any optical trouble. Gibson
"a that he had found hatchet in the
beIfry on the occasion of his second ex-
animation, and the deputy coroner testi-
fled that when he first viewed the body
OF Blanche Lamont III The belfry the
mouth of the dead girl was Slightly open.
Attorney Eugene Deuprey, for the de-
fense, then began his opening statement.
His intimation that the murder was
committed not by Durrant, but by Rev.
John George Gibson, pastor of Emanuel
church, made in a significant alluslon to
the resem blance of the preachers hand
writing with the lettering on the paper
enclosing Blanche Lamont's rings, Gre
ated marked sensation.
Tue address of Deuproy began with
definitions of the duties OF jurors in cap
itsl cases. He attacked the newspapers
for the articles written and published
concerning Durrant, and warned the jury
against improper deductions from cir
cumstantial evidence. Deuprey then said:
The district attorney has produced
strong case OF circumstantial evidence,
which at first would create strong susp-
con of the guilt of defendant. We claim
that beyond a strong suspicion the prose-
cution has failed to go. We contend that
with all the testimony introduced, the
only issues to be passed on have not been
answered. Where did Blanche Lamont
forfeit her lie? When did she meet her
death? Who caused hec death? These
questions have not been answered. A
fourth question is the cause Of death. A
fifth has not been and never can be an
swered, What was the motive of the ac-
cused to take the life of Blanche Lamont?
Under the testimony thus far we claim
to ask the court at this time to instruct
the Jury without one word to acquit. AS
duty to the defendant, his parents and
the community that his lips should be
unsealed you are entitled and shall know
where Durrant was and what he did on
April Sd, from the time he arose in the
morning until he went to bed at night.
The district attorney promised to show
that Durrant was not where he should
have been on the afternoon of April Sd,
namely, at the lecture room of the Cooper
Medical college. Where is that promised
proof? No alluSlon to it has been made.
The defense has called between forty and
fifty witnesses. Of that mum ber ten havo
given material evidence. Three elderly
Victoria hotel keeper, a police court
shyster and his colleague have furnished
the substantial testimony upon which
the prosecution relies. We insist that
the proper proof is wanting TO connect
the defendant with the murder. We Will
show that other men had access to Eman-
uol church. Proof may point to
others. Let me carry you along the
giound upon which we will ask for
verdict for the defense. First you shall
hear from the mother of Durrant how he
was interested in churcn work, and what
lie did for Emanuel church We will
tell you how he me. Blanche Lament and
OF his associations with her. Mrs. Durrant
will tell how her son was dressed when he
left home on the moning of April Sd. She
will tell what her son did that evening
The good repute and honorable character
of the defendants will be proven. The at
tendance at Cooper Medical college and
his general demeanor will be shown.
On the morning of A pril Sd Durrant left
his home and walked towards the house
of George King, SO that he might have a
helper that evening to fix the gas in the
church. He accidentally met Blanche
Lamont. whom he told he was on tho way
pany him. She said that she did not
have time to accompany him before
school, and requested Durrant to accom-.
pany her to school. He acquiesced in
this and accompanied her as far as Sutter
nd Octavia streets, while the defendan9
went on to Webster street to the medical
college. We will show you these facts,
and what Durrant did upon his arrival
there until the noon hour, when he
walked to Broadway and to bluff over
looking the bay. We will show you his