BUTLER CONDEMNED.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 12

BUTLER CONDEMNED.

Sydney, June 16.

A great sensation has been caused in the city by an alleged attempt by Butler to commit suicide in his cell in the early hours of this morning. It is rumoured that somehow he obtained possession of a tin tag from a plug of tobacco, and made a wound in the vicinity of the jugular vein.

While being brought into Court he acied with extreme violence, and fought fiercely with the constables. The police authorities are extremely reticent, and refuse to confirm the report. When he entered the dock the prisoner presented an exhausted, dishevelled appearance. Force is lent to the rumour by thß fact

that the Court was half an hour late in j meeting'. . ' Counsel for the defence then stated that , &he prisoner wished to make a statement, | Tout he was not in a fit condition to do so, jas he could not speak. The Court sat a short time, and then adjourned till 2.30 p.m. ! The rumours as to Butler's attempted tsuicide have been confirmed. Ho was discovered shortly after 6 o*clock .lying in his bunk, bleeding from a wound :in his throat near the jugular vein. A doctor was immediately summoned. Butler lost a lot of blood. The wound is an ugly one, but is not serious. It is supposed that he found the tag in the detention yard, and kept it carefully concealed. He refused to go to Court this morning, and was dragged forcibly into the van by half a dozen constables, fighting and cursing like a maniac. He was handcuffed behind as a special precaution before he was placed in the dock, with constables on each side who had their arms linked with the prisoner's. He again fought fiercely when being removed. Despite his weakness from loss of blood, and the fact that he was handcuffed, it took four warders to overpower him.

He has been placed in a strait-jacket. The trial was resumed fco-day. The medical testimony showed that it was possible, 'but highly improbable, that Weller's wound was self-inflicted. The evidence of Detectives McHattie and Conroy was corrobrative of Roadie's. This closed the case for the Crown. An immense and excited crowd awaited tho resumption of the trial this afternoon. Butler was sullen and weak, but quiet. His hands were encased in heavy mittens, and he wan closely guarded.

Mr Edmunds stated that Butler was still unable to speak audibly, and asked to be allowed to make a statement through him.

In a low voice, repeated by "counsel, Butler made a statement to the effect that just prior to gojng prospecting together, Welier was drinking neavily owing to tho death of his wife. Butler bought his jewellery. After they reached G-l en brook Welier was very moody and depressed, the reaction of his drinking 1 bout. Butler suggested they should reirurn to Sydney. "Welier replied that he had no money, and would never return. Suddenly he drew a revolver from his pocket, and placed it to his head. Butler grasped his hand, and tried to wrench tho weapon away, but in the struggle it was forced behind Weller's head and" exploded, and Welier fell dead. Butler said ho was afraid to report tho matter to the police, and he buried Welier where he fell. Previously Welier had asked Butler that if anything strange occurred to forward his will to his solicitor. He said he (Butler) might ha.ve his clothes and portmanteau. He found a mate's certificate in tho portmanteau. He had no seaman's discharges himself, and could not get a ship unless ho used Weller's. If he made any statements to the police on the voyage from San Francisco, he did so under the influence of the whisky which was supplied to him all the w&.y over, The only witness called for the defence was a doctor to support the theory that it was possible that Welier was shot as described by Butler. Mr Edmunds addressed the Court, and claimed that the offence was not a tryable one, the extradition not having been granted on proved . facts. Counsel's speech was mainly an elaboration in support of Butler's statements, and he laid special stress on the fact, that if he was guilty he would not have kept Weller's belongings. ] The Attorney-G-fmoral replied, and strongly repudiated the charges ageinst the detectives of overstepping their duty and trying to extort confessions from the prisoner. He paid them a very high compliment, and swept the defence aside as being weak and inconsistent. After a careful summing up by the Chief Justice, the jury retired, and returned in an hour and a half with a verdict of guilty. The Chief Justice then passed sentence of death, adding that he could not hold out the least hope of mercy. He also warmly defended and strongly commended the detectives, and suggested that they should be rewarded.

The points raised by the defence in reference to the legality of the extradition will be argued before the Pull Court on Monday. Since he was sentenced to death Butler has been quiet and sociable. Extreme care is being- taken to prevent further attempts at suicide. He is heavily ironed, his hands are encased in muffs, and he is constantly watched. Sydney, June 17. The wound on Butler's throat is an inch long, and not at all deep or dangeroiis. It is thought he had no intention of inflicting a serious injury, but merely wanted to cause delay. How he became possessed of the tag is a mysteiy. He was stripped and closely searched at frequent intervals, and shortly before the attempt. As the Chief Justice finished passing sentence with the words, " May the Lord have mercy on your soul!" Butler, who till then had been speechless, added in low sullen tones, "And may the Lord have mercy on yours."