THE CONVICT BUTLER.
REAPPEARANCE IN MELBOURNE. ARRESTED ON SUSPICION Otf ROBBERY. Mblboukne, June 1. Robert Butler has been arrested on suspicion of being ooncerned in the M'Pbee robbery. Accused was sentenced ab Dunedin in 1880 to 18 years' penal servitude for burglary and 10 years' for sacrilege. When leaving the court prisoner caught sight of a female relative, and has acted hysterically ever since, butting his head against the walls of his cell. Robert Butler, alias Donnelly, whose arresb is announced above, was one of the most notorious criminals in New Zealand. • He was tried ab Dunedin for the murder on. a Sunday morning early in March 1880 of James Murray Dewar (or Grant) and his wife and child in a cottage in Cumberland street under circumstances which caused a profound sensation, bub after an able defence by the prisoner the jury returned & verdict of not guilty. He was then sentenced to 18 years' hard labour for burglary, having first made an entrance into the residence of the late Mr Stamper, in High street, and afterwards set fire to the place. Butler was released about three years ago and shipped to South America. It was reported he had made his way to San Francisco, and now we learn of his being in custody in £lelbowne.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 23
Word Count
215THE CONVICT BUTLER. Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 23
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