The herald., 1895-09-28
While His Mother Chats and
Smiles Pleasantly
EXTRAVAGANT ASSERTIONS
Made in the Opening Followed by Blind
Cropping
For Evidence Which Is Not Forthcoming.
The Testimony Thus Far Is Disap.
pointing to the Defense
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21-If lTheo-
dore Durraut has anything tangible on
which to base his denial of the charge
that he murdered Blanche Lamont and
Minnie Williams his attorneys have
failed to give satisfactory evidence OF the
fact. After two days devoted to the tes-
tmony by the defense, the trial was ad-
journed at noon today until next Tues
day. In the meantime, however, the de-
Tense had disclosed enough to satisfy the
prosecution that Durrant's attorneys are
cropping in the dark lin the hope that
something may develop within the next
few days to save the prisoners life.
The weakness of the uefense is made
more apparent at this time on account
OF the extravagant assertions that Dur
rant attorneys have uniformly made
since the trial began. When the prose-
cution was engaged in putting in its case
and the situation looked darkest for the
young Sunday school superintendent,
Attorney Deuprey was accustomed to
snap his fingers and remark that he had
no fears for the future of his client.
1--WE will clear him In three minutes
said Deuprey, 'and the public will be
at loss to understand how Durrant's
name was, ever connected with the case.
The same line of extravagant claims
was continued when Attorney Dsuprey
made his opsning speech tor the defense.
mot only will the prisoner tell you
with his own lips the simple story of his
lie on the day Blanche Lamont was MUIR
dered," said Deuprey, "but Dr.. Cheney
will tell you that Durrant was at Cooper
Medical college at the very hour when the
murder of Blanche Lamont is said to
have taken place. Besides that we will
prove to you that Durrant never tried to
pawn Miss Lamont's ring at Open
helm store. On the contrary we will
bring forward the young man who did
try to pawn ring at Oppenheim' SINH
lar to the one worn by Miss Lamont
In view of these startling statement 1t
was first believed chat the defense might
have strong case held in reserve which
would put to severe test the case of the
prosecution. In one day, however the
case of the defense crum bled and fell OF
its own weight, and today Durrant's alibi
has not leg upon which to stand. DR..
Cheney, who was expected to tell SO much
for the defense, was as strong witness
for the prosecution as has taken the
stand during the trial. Instead of fulfill
ing Deuprey's statement and swearing
that Durrant attended lecture at Cooper
college on April 3, be SAID he bad no
recollection of seeing the young medical
student there. The denial dunn bfounded
the defense.
II further proof were needed of the be-
lief tnat the defense has little to offer in
refuiation of the case put forward by the
prosecution, it was furnished today. In
stead of placing witnesses on the stand
to testify to some material fact in con-
nection with Durrants alleged alibi, two
gas filters were called to testify witnIe-
gard to the sun burners in the gallery of
Emanuel church. For two hours the
crowd was bored and the jury made tired
by long series OF questions and answers
relative to the mlnulest part of the con-
struction of sun burners. Not once dur
ing the entire session was the name OF
Blanche Lamont mentioned. nor was any.
thing said to indicate that it was not a
suit to collect plumbers bill instead of
a murder trial that was before the court.
The evident purpose of the examination.
however, was to show that the repairing
of the sun burners would necessarily re-
suit in the escape of great deal OF gas.
This testimony will be used to Substan-
tiate Durrant'd statement that he was
suffering from partial asphyxiation when
he came down from the church belfry,
trembling and flushed and met Organist
King in the auditorium.
A signitican feature of the testimony
of the two gas filters was the fact that
each testified that lie made an examina-
church on septem ber I'd. The proseeu.
tioon interprets that to mean that the
defense had nothing upon which to base
a case until the case of the people was
nearly completed. Only when confronted
by the actual necessity of opening its
case is 1t believed that the defense made
an attempt to secure witnesses to testify
with regard to the condition of the sun
burners.
The apparent hopelessness of his case,
however, produces no change in the de-
meanor of DurraLt. Day after day he sits
in the court room beside his father and
mother and listens to the evidence
against him without sign of emotion.
The stoicism OF the prisoner is only sur
passed by that of his mother. Mrs. Dur
rant seems to have no conception of the
gravity of her sons position. Attired
in waving plumes and II talor. made Gown,
such as lady might wear at q matinee,
she laughs and chats with her friends
while the evidence that the prosecution
believes will hang her son is being put in
against him. 10 frequenters of the court
room Mrs. Durrants conduct is almost
as un1athomable as that of her son. Dur
rants fathnr, however, looks careworn
and gives every evidence OF the intense
mental strain through which he must be
passing.
1t is now believed that Mrs. Monnier,
the wife of French liquor dealer. is the
woman who. it is claimed, saw Durrant
enter Emanuel church unaccompanled
nm tha afterpoOn of Anril z