Evening journal., 1895-10-10
DURANT ON THE STAND
The Prisoner Tells His Story to
the Jury.
AND MAKES A GOOD IMPRESSION.

rectness-Only once Did He Hesitate.
Did Not Flinch When Asked II He Killed
Blanche Lamont.
SAN FRANCISCO. Oct. 10-Theodore Du-
nnt, assistant superintendent Of Emanuel
Sunday school, was placed ON the stand
ior the purpose OF convincing the jury So
lected TO try him that he did not murder
Blanche Lamont in the belfry OF the
church ON April B.
With the same GOODNESS that has charac-
terized his conduct since his arrest he de.
MED the principal allegations that have
been made against him by the moro i'm.
portant witnesses for the prosecution. His
answers were always brief and 10 the
point, and many were interpreted TO mean
that he had studied his part well before
taking the stand.
Only once during the course OF the di-
rect examination did he show any nerv-
BUSINESS or hesitancy. When Attorney
Dickinson asked him II he took notes at
DR.. Cheney's lecture on the afternoon OF
April he cast his eyes toward the floor
and for a moment he WAS silent. He re-
piled that he had taken notes, but that
they were brief
The hesitancy of the prisoner may be
understood when it is explained that Gil
bert +. Graham, one OF Durant's most in
innate friends will testify that Durant
asked TO borrow his notes Of the lecture.
When the request was made, it Is alleged,
Durant explained that he only needed the
notes TO establish good alibi.
Graham refused the request. Taken al
together. Durant's direct testimony prob
ably had a tendency TO strengthen his
case. His demeanOr while on the stand
was certainly intended 20 impress the
jury with the opinion that he was telling
the truth. Questions that would ordinari-
~ cause visible impression on a guilty
man We're answered by Durant with the
utmost unconcern Even when Attorney
Duprey asked him II on the 3d OF April
or at any other time he murdered or par
ticipated in the numbering Of Blanche
Lamont the prisoner coolly replied in the
negative.
Significant Incident.
significant feature Of the testimony
was the fact that while Durnnt was tell
ing of several incidents that took place nc
q prayer meeting held on the evening Of
April Mrs. Noble Blanche Iamont's
aunt, shook her head several times. as II
to indicate that the statements by the pris
oner of what he had positive knowledge
were not correct. Durant did not look at
Mrs Noble while he was testifying.
The examination OF Durant was begun
with questions relative to his age and his
early life in this city. Coming down To
the day upon which Blanche Lamont was
murdered, the prisoner was asked TO re-
late his movements from the time he left
his homo in the morning until he retuned
at night
He said he met Miss Lamont ON her
way TO school and rode with her on "a
street car until he reached Cooper Medical
college. He said ho remained at the col
lege until 10 o'clock, when he and another
student named Ross went for a walk.
When he returned an hour later nc went
bo the library, where he was engaged in
his studies until noon. Then he went 70
luncheon with a student named Diggins
and returned at 1 o'clock.
After luncheon Durant remained in tho
library until $3.50 o'clock, when he at
tended Dr. Cheney's lecture. He said he
was present at the roll call at the close OF
the lecture and answered 20 his name.
AT the close OF the lecture Durant said
he boarded "A street car and rode to Eman-
uel CHURCH for the purpose Of repairing
the sunburners He denied that he was
body else Upon entering the church he
said he loft his coat and vest In the libra
ry, obtained the necessary tools and as
cended TO the gallery A blackboard was
provided and Durant drew rude sketch
Of the church and its tall spire TO Illus
trate the manner in which no made the
repairs. He said to make the repairs il
was necessary for him 70 lie at full length
on a plank. In this position he inhaled
so much gas that It made him III. To illus
hate the manner in which the gas escap-
I'd, Durant took burner and descended
10 the jury box and explained the CON
struotion Of the burner TO the jury. After
repairing the burner Durant said that he
descended TO the auditorium, where he
found George King playing on the organ
King remarked that Dnrant looked
pale. Durant replied that King would be
in the same condition IL he had been near
ly overcome by escaping gas. At Durant's
request King bought some bromo seller,
which the prisoner drank. The medicine
made him feel better, and at o'clock
Durant left the church in company with
King. He went out Of his way two blocks
20 converse with King. after which they
separated but Durant went home TO din
ner.
nj Tall xvffI, trs,o