Graham guardian. [volume] (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923, 1897-03-12
DURRANT IS DOOMED.
The Murderer of Blanche Lamont And
Minnie Williams Must Now go TO the
Gallows-The Culprit Does Not Yet
Give up Hope-A Review of the
Story of His Fiendfsh Double

/ The supreme court OF CALIFORNIA
has affirmed tie decision of the
lower court in the case of Theodore
Durrant found guilty Of the MUIR
der of Blonch Lamont in Emman-
uel Church almost two years ago.
He appealed from the verdict of
guilty, alleging errors in the rul-
ings Of the trial judge and fling a
voluminous bill of exceptions. The
trial Judge, however, was confirm
ed in all his disputed rulings and
the verdict approved by the Sup
rene court. The case will now be
sent back TO the Superior court,
which will fix date for Durrant's
execution.
Friday afternoon, April III, 1895,
the body of Minnie Williams, q
young girl, was found in closet
in the pastors study of the En-
manel Church. The girl had been
outraged and murdered, the AFTER
les in the wrists being cut.
Two days later, the body of Miss
Blanch Lamont, who had been mis-
sing for several days, was found in
the belfry Of the church. She had
been strangled TO death.
Theodore Durrant, young med
zeal student. who was s1parigtena-
eut OF the Emmanuel Church Sun
day-school, had been on very
friendly terms with both of the
murdered girls and was suspected
of the crime. He was arrested
while on trip to Mount Dlablo
with the Signal Corps, and al
though he had been warned with
Photograph by his comrades of the
Signal Corps from Telegraph Hill
he betrayed no concern and calm
ly awaited the arrival of the of
ficers.
In his ovcrcoat, which had been
LETT at home, was found Minnie
Williams purse. A pawnbroker
identified Durrant as a man who
had tried to sell him diamond
ring which had belonged to Blanch
Lamont.
1t was proved at the trial that
Durrant accompanied Miss Lamont
to and from school on the day she
disappeared and that he met Min
Die Williams at the ferry the even
ing on which she was murdered.
That evening Durrant arrived late
at meeting OF the Christian En-
dearor Society. He was flushed
and disheveled. He asked per-
to brush his hair and wash
his hands before he entered the
meeting.
The discovery of the murders
great excitement, aad after
a long and sensational trial Dur
rant was convicted of the murder
of Blanch Lamont. He was SEN
fenced to be hanged q year ago
last February, but has been grant
ed several stays of execution pend
ing the hearing of his appeal for 8
new trial by the supreme court.
All this time be has been confined
in the county jail, where he has
maintained his usual stolid COM
posure, devotipg his time 20 study
and religious reading,
When Durrant was infol med by
the head jaIler OF the suprems
courts decision he burst into tears
and said this was very cruel
world. He said that some day
the truth would prevail and he
would be vindicated. He seemed
to take some comfort from the re-
port that Chief Justice Beatty
would in few days file q dissent
ing opinion.
Durrant has ever since his arrest
the most supreme con-
fidence in his ultimate acquittai,
and when he was convicted in the
Supreme court declared that the
Supreme court would grant him
new trial.
The attorneys for Durrant in
tend TO employ every legal means
to stop the execution of the sent
ance of death. Eugene Deuprey,
one of his attorneys, so asserts:
~ am adamant In my belief that
this young man is innocent" said
Mr.. Deuprey, "and that his death
by hanging would be murder, l
shall therefore fight for him to the
last resource"
Mr.. Deuprey explained briefly
his purpose. II have read the
opinion of Justice Henshaw," he
said, "though with some haste. |
notice that many of the points
made on behalf of the defendant
are treated with reconsideration
Points of law are dismissed briefly
or not mentioned at all. The evi,
deuoe as summarized, 80 use the
language of Justice Henshaw, omits
matters that we regard as of i'm
portance. But meager attention 10
given 10 our contention of the eff
feet on the jury of public eIsmor
and articles IN the newspapers.
Within twenty days, the time al
lowed by law, we shall present our
petition for a reheariug setting
forth these matters that seem to be
overlooked, or at least not consid-
cred. We cannot, with propriety,