The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-26


was the time he left the college. The state
ment is not strained. II bears no suspicion in
any respect. / think that his statement in that
respect is worthy of credence. At the time
this statement was made the young man had
Just been brought in. He had been in jail
about one hour. The town was flooded with
extras regarding the matter The police were
on the qul v1ye and eTything was IN state OF
excitement. He was in the booking-room of
the City Prison in his uniform. He was then
called upon TO make q statement, and, under
all circumstances and conditions, am graft
fed he did not make any break in his state
ment. am as satisfied of his innocence from
his conduct at that time as from any other fact
In the case. He was almost assaulted by news
gatherers 10 give q statement, and in his cage
he made this statement. He concealed moth
ing about his ride on the car, and there is no
doubt he told it to others
Durrant Mould have made
an appointment aCith Blanche.
There is nothing that can find or surmise
to show that there was any engagement what
ever to meet Blanche Lamont on the afternoon
OF that day, and certainly IL he had intended
to they would have said something about 1t.
he would not have been running up and down
in front of the school and in front of Mrs. Vo-
gers opera-glass. His conduct as he has APP
peared IN the court since the time of his arrest
his entire behavior, controverts and absolutely
denies even the SUSPICION of such character
Is painted by the prosecution. l defy the pros
the evidence or to bring forth anything that
points TO any such change in the conduct OF
the prisoner at any time which might result in
such deed II seems to me that there should
be something here before it can be charged
that he was changed from the exemplary
young man into the monster. 1t is mon
StrouS proposition to advance under the cir
cumstances ana conditions as they have been
produced and laid before you in this case.
Durrdnt told Mrs. Noble he
acaS to bring the book.
I have heard it suggested that Blanche
Lamont went with the defendant in the alter
the reason that he told Mrs. Noble he was 10
bring the book. On the evening of the Sd of
April, so far as we know, nobody knew of the
disappearance OF the girl Mrs Noble made no
after. Upon his arrival at the hurch the de-
tendant gives rational and reasonable explain
burner and what he did after he left there.
Expert testimony as regards the amount OF gas
that can be inhaled is of no value in this case
The defendant had to reach well out with his
hand in order to reach the burners and his
head would naturally be over only few of the
burners.
Why did Darrant go dospn to
George ktngF
think it will appear that the defendant is a
young man OF common-sense. l do not think
that any of his faculties, even his sense of self
preservation, has been blunted. There was no
reason, If he had committed this crime, that
he should have gone down to Mr.. King at all.
He could have gone out and nobody would
have been the wiser. l am rather surprised
that the prosecution treated King as an
willing witness. think he made good i'm
preston. II this defendant had committed
that crime why did he not go on his way?
submit that the conduct OF the defendant as
told both by him and Mr.. King as to what they
did is perfectly natural. There has been some
dispute as to whether one grows pale or red
from the effects of gas. 1t is not pretepd that
so much gas was inhaled as to seriously affect
him. 1t only affected him to small extent.
He Mould have made no remark
II he had been guilty.
Consider what he did. He took the ladder
down; he worked the push buttons. He could
do this and have headache. He GER
tainly had his senses about him when he wen
down to see King, and he remarked to his
friend: "If you had gone through what have
you would be pale, too" He would have made
no remark at all If he had been guilty. 1t was
purely voluntary on his own part. There was
nothing in the conduct of the parties that re-
CURED MIN to make any statement at all. Then
he asked for some bromo-seltzer. Now Won
der why Mrs. Leak did not see King go out for
the bromo-seltZer and see them go home to-
gether. dwell upon these meters because
tney appear to me to be perfectly natural &C
tons OF the parties. 1 do not see anything out
settler the defendant helped King to carry
down the organ ] submit that careful ex-
animation OF all the proceedings In the church,
SO lar as appears or can be logically presumed,
all points to the absolute innocence OF this de-
tendant.
IF 1t be true that he is
gaaHy he tDdS q monster.
The prosecution thinks he became suddenly
monster. That might account for this, but
we are not to assume any such change as that
and II any such change did take place 1t is a
very peculiar TACT that it only took place for
the performance of this act Nothing before
and nothing since gives us reason to believe or
TO suspect that such change took place.
Alter leaving the church they went to their
respective homes. If it be true that this man
is guilty he was monster, not a man, except
IN form. He went to his home In natural
way. He partook of his dinner and then went
TO the church, as was his custom. He spoke to
hrs: Noble about "The Newcombs' and about
ms having ridden with Blanche to the school.
what he said to Mrs. Noble and the way ne
sald IL did not attract her attention, and has
never called Tor her criticism up to the present
time; de called at the house on the 9Th of
april and saw Miss Maud.
Blanche Lamont pds not the
Sweetheart Of Durrdnt.
Why should the defendant, If he were guilty,
90 these things? He took part in the search
LOT the missing girl. 1t was not strange that
ne should be interested in finding her, though,
as nave said, there had been no particula r
Ielauons between them. The evidence show s
that the defendant never called upon her but
0Hce, ana then in company with his sister.
Ihen they had ride to the park. There is
notnlng suspicious about that. He was not
ner Deau and she was not his sweetheart. They
were just acquaintance, meeting almost
always at the church. The testimony tends to
throw into relief the morar conduct Of the de-