BUTLER ON TRIAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 348, 15 June 1897, Page 3

BUTLER ON TRIAL.

THE CASE FOR THE CROWN

(Per Press Association. —Cojti/rii/ht.)

Sydney, June 14. The trial of Butler began at Darlinghurst to-day. Long before the doors opened an immense crowd gathered and immediately rushed every available inch of the Courthouse, whi:h was densely packed, while hundreds remained patiently in the rain throughout the day.

The Hon. J. Want (AttorneyGenera] i, assisted by Mv Wade and Mr Carver, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and Messrs Edmunds and Bloomlield, assisted by Messrs Williamson and Doyle, defended. Butler, who was looking exceedingly well, took the proceedings coolly, and lolled back in his chair, there being a strong guard of police round the dock.

The charge of murdering Weller was first taken, and the prisoner pleaded not- guilty, freely exercising his right of challenge, over 30 of the special panel being called before a jury were empannelled. The Crown challenged only one. The Attorney-General in his opening address traced Butler's connection with Weiler and the history of the crime as related in the police courts and referred to the prisoner's statements to the detectives on the voyage from San Francisco. Amongst other statements he had said that when the judge asked him if he was guilty he wouid tell him to go to a hot place, and that he would think him mad and send him to an asylum. Weller's landlady and personal friends of his deposed to Weller goingto Glt-nbrook to prospect, taking a considerable amount of money and jewellery with him. They identified the jewellery and other property, also hand-writing in books found in Butler's possession as Mrs Weller's. A shipmate of Butler's on the Swanbikla gave evidence that the latter showed him Weller's master's certificate which he said was his own. He also showed him Mrs Weller's photograph, which he said was that of his own wife. He stated that he was going to San Francisco to see friends. The day before the vessel arrived the prisoner asked to be allowed to go ashore by the first boat, as he did not want his friends to see him working as a common sailor.

The remainder of the day was devoted to a recapitulation of the police and other evidence as to the linding of the body.