VIEW HILL MURDER CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9630, 10 April 1917, Page 5

VIEW HILL MURDER CASE

CUTLER REMANDED TO OXFORD COURT. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 9. Charles Butler, charged with the murder of Henrietta Foster, at View Hill yesterday, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, looking very dejected. Ho was remanded, on the application of the chief detective, appear at the Oxford Court on Friday fioxt.. The inquest on Henrietta Louisa poster, the victim of the View Hill Jnurder, was held to-day. Air Bailey, 8.M., returned a verdict that the cause of death wa s syncope following on the throat of the girl having been out, and that the evidence pointed to the fact that the act was committed by Charles Butler. Dr Baglcy gave evidence that three weeks and a half ago Butler consulted him about bis mental condition, and witness sent him to Christchurch. The coroner pointed out that this evidence could only be taken at subsequent proceedings. Miss Foster was engaged to a resident of Lyttelton, and Butler was apparently jealous, and stated to some people, including the girl’s father:. “I frill got Hottio yet.” No now facts of importance were (elicited. When Butler reached View Hill Post Office at midday on Sunday ho said to a resident: “I’ve done for Hottio Foster." In reply to a (question, Butler repeated his remark. There -was blood on Butler’s right hand and shirt collar and cuff- He was very excited. He told this witness ho had tried to do away with himself by getting into a well, but there was not water enough to drown him. Butler told the constable who arrived shortly afterwards: “I’m done! I’m done! I killed Hottio Foster!” The constable who examined the body said there wore no signs of struggle. An open razor, covered with blood, was found near the body. Beside the razor was a piece of paper, on which was written: 1 ‘You will find my body in a well over the river.’’ Tho doctor who made the post-mor-tem examination, said the girl’s throat was cut right down to tho backbone. TiicrO were no other marks of violence about tho body. Tho girl was in bed when her parents left Lvgo to church. The evidence showed that she had got up late, and had got Butler's breakfast. Presumably they breakfasted together.