The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-10
THE DuRRAsr MURDER TRIAL.
The Prisoners Story of His whereabout,
on the Sd of April
Overcoats to Mcasur,

on the Sd of April.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9-Theodore
Durrant was placed on the stand to-day
for the purpose OF convincing the Jury
selected to try him that he did not
murder Blanche Lamont in the belfry
Of the church on April 8. With the
Same GOODNESS that has characterized
his conduct since his arrest, he denied
the principal allegations that have
been made against him by the most inn
portant witness for the prosecution His
answers were always brief and to the
point.
Only once during the course OF the
direct examination did he show any
nervousness or hesttancy. When At
torney Dickinson asked him If he took
notes at DR.. Cheneys lecture on the
afternoon OF April 3, he cast his eyes
towards the floor and for a moment was
silent. Ho replied that he had taken
notes, but that they were brief.
Taken altogether, Durrsnt's direct
testimony, which ended at O'Clock
when the discrimination began,
probably had tendency to strengthen
his case. His demeanor while on the
stand was certainly intended to impress
the jury with the opinion that he was
telling the truth.
Coming down to the day upon which
Blanche Lamont was murdered the
prisoner said he met Miss Lamont on
her way to school and rode with her on
street car until he reached Cooper
Medical College. He said he remained
ut the college until 10 o'clock, when he
and another student named Ross went
for walk. When he returned an hour
later he went to the library, where he
was engaged in his studies until noon.
m 1n-
student named DiQgins. and returned at
1 o'clock. After luncheon Durraut re-
NAMED in the library until $3.50 o'clock,
when he attended DR.. Cheney's lecture.
He said he was present at the roll call
at the close of the lecture and answered
to his name.
AT the close of the lecture Durrant
said he boarded q street car and rode TO
Emanuel Church for the purpose of re.
pairing the sun -hurners. He denied
that he was accompanied by Blanche
Lamont or anybody else. After repair
ing the burner, Durrant aaid that he
descended to the auditorium, where he
found George King playing on the or
gan. King remarked that Durrant
looked pale. Durrant replied that King
would be in the same condition il he
had been nearly overcome by escaping
gas
AT Durrans's request King bought
some bromo-seltzer, which the prisoner
drank. The medicine made him feel
better, and at once Durrant left the
church in company with King. He
went out OF his way to converse with
King, and when they separated Durrant
went home to dinner.
In the evening no went to prayer
meeting at Emanuel Church. He saw
Mrs. Noble and asked her if Blanche
was coming 10 prayer meeting, Mrs.
Noble replied that she did not believe
her niece would be present. He related
number OF other minor incidents in
connection with his ton with
Mrs. Noble. who evidently did not en-
dorse statements, from the fact that she
shook her head several times.
AT the close of the services Duarant
said he went home and retired The
cross examination, which lasted only
an hour before the court took q recess
till Tomorrow, WAS confined to ques-
tions relative to the life of Durrant
prior to April 3.