The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-10
Briefly, Clearly and Always to
the Point
AS If STUDIED CAREFULLY
He Denies the Story of Mrs. Vogel
and Others
He Did Not Know That Pastor Gibson Had a
Box of Tools Until After
His Arrest
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, Get. 9.-Theodore
Durrant. assistant superintendent OF the
Emanuel Baptist church Sunday school,
was placed on the witness stand today
for the purpose of convincing the jury
selected to try him that he did not muir
der Blanche Lamont in the belfry of the
church on the Sd OF April last. With the
same GOODNESS that has characterized his
conduct since his arrest, he denied the
principal allegations that have been
made against him by he most important
witnesses for the prosecution. His an
swers were always brief and to the point.
and by many were interpreted to mean
that he had studied his part we'll before
taking the stand. Only once during the
course OF the direct examination did he
show any nervousness or hesitancy.
When Attorney Dickinson asked him if
he took notes at Dr.. Cheney's lecture on
the afternoon Of April Sd he cast his eyes
toward the floor and for moment was
silent. He replied that he had taken
notes, but that they were very brief.
The hesitancy Of the priJoner may be un-
derstood when it is explained that Gill
bert F. Graham, one of Durrant's most
intimate friends, will testify that Dur
rant asked to borrow his notes OF the lee
ture. When the request was made Dur
rant explained that he only needed the
notes to establish good alibi. Graham
refused the request. Taken altogether,
Durrant's direct testimony, which ended
at O. clock, when the cross-examination
began, probably had a 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. Questions that
would ordinarily cause visible impress
sion upon a guilty maa vera answered
by Durra 1t with the utmo't unconcern.
Even whom Attorney Deurrey asked
him if on the Sd day OF April, or at any
other time, be murd cred or particiatcd
in murderlng Blanche Lamont. the pris-
oner coolly replied in the negative.
A significant fe ature OF the testimony
was the fact that while Durrant was tell
ing of several incidents that took place at
a prayer meeting held on the evening of
April Sd, Mrs. G.. G. Noble, Blanche La
mont's aunt, shook her head several times
as if to indicate that the statements made
by the prisoner. OF which she had posi-
tive knowledge, were not correct. Dur
rant did not look at Mrs. Noble while he
was tesstifying.
The purpose of the defense to curtail
cross-examinatIon as much as possible
was shown when District Attorney Barnes
askad the first question.
Durrant was asked if he was not born
at Toronto, Canada. on April "a, 1871
Attorney Deuprey objected to the ques-
tion. He said that Durrant could have
no positive knowledge ON the subject and
any belief that he might have would be
based on heresay.
The court overruled the obIsction and
the prisoner gave an affirmative answer.
Several other equally unimportnat aues-
tons we're objected to by the defense. The
objections in most cases were overruled.
1t was the original intention of the de-
fense to recall. Charles T. Lenah an this
morning and have him tell more about
the occasion upon which he tried to
pawn ring at Oppenbeim's shop. Lena
han contradicted himself so manv times
yesterday that doubt was cast upon his
testimony and this morning ne did not
respond to his name when called in court.
An attachment was made out for Lena
han, and when he was found an hour
later he was placed in the charge OF the
sheriff in order that he might be found
when needed. In the meantime. however,
Durrant was called to the stand.
The examination of Durrant was be-
gun W tn questions relative to his age
and his early life in this city. Coming
down to the day upon which Blanche La
mont was murdered the prisoner was
asked to relate his movements from the
time he left his home in the morning un-
til he returned at night. He said he
met Miss Lamont on her way to school
and rode with her on street car until
he reached the Cooper Medical college
He said he remained at the college until
10 o'clock, when he and another student
named Ross went for walk. When be
returned an hour later he went to the liz
brary, where he was engaged in his stud
les until noon. Then he went to lunch
con with a student named Diggins and
returned at 1 o. clock. After luncheon Dur
rant renamed 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 aad
answered to his own name. At the close
of the lecture Durrant said he boarded a
street car and rode to Emanuel church
burners. He denied that he was accom-
panied by Blanche Lamont or anybody
else. Upon entering the church he said
he left his coat and vest in the library,
obtained Jne necessary tOOlS ana aScended
to the gallery. A blackboard was provid-
ed and Durrant drew rude sketch of
the church and its tail spire to illustrate
the manner in which he made the re.
pairs. He said to make the repairs was
necessary for him to lie at full length on
plank with his head much lower than
his feet. While in this position he said
he inhaled so much gas that he was made
i'll. TIC illustrate the manner In which
the gas escaped, Durrant took burner
and ascending to the jury box explained
the construction of the burner to the
jury.
said he descended to the auditorium
where be found George King playing on
the organ. King remarked chat Durrant
looked pale. Durrant replied that King
would be in the same condition if he had
been nearly overcome by escaping gas.
At Durrant's s request KING bought some
bromo-seltzer. which the prisoner drank.
The medicine made MIN feel better, and
at o'clock Durrant lett the church in
companywith King. He went out of his
way two blocks to converse with King,
after which they separated and Durrant
went home to dinner.
In the evening he went to prayer meet.