THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 16

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

BUTLER'S ALLEGED CON-

ITESBIONS.

NUMEROUS ALLEGED MURDERS

AND BOBBERIES.

Sydney, April 27.

The Mariposa arrived to-day. As soon as. she entered the heads Butler was transferred to the police launch, and landed in a quiet part of the harbour and driven to Darlingharat Gaol. There was no demonstration. The considerable crowds which gathered ac the wharf and along the Bhores of the harbour were naturally much disappointed. Butler was subsequently committed on a warrant charging him with the murders oi Preston and Lee Welle" to (ake bis trial at, fche criminal sessions on Miy 31, or such time as the Crown may iis. The only evidence of: identification was given by Detectives Roache, Conroy, and M'Lean. Nothing of importance transpired. . From Auckland Butier maintained a sullen demeanour, but varied the monotony by making a number of other alleged confessions. He told the reporters he had 14 murders and about 20 big robberies to tell them about, but it was too soon yet. He was not going to show his hand till he saw what the Crown would do in Sydney. He said he would send for the reporters and tell all about the crimes later on. He added that he should have been hanged 10 years ago for ki\)ing his wife. Ho recounted with glee several murders said to have been committed in Western Australia, and wound up by stating that while a boy at school he killed another boy and stuffed the body in the hollow of a tree. If his story has any foundation, he wallowed in bloody crime 3 from his youth upwards. He takes great pride in it, and says he had only two bad breaks In life — one when he gave his photo, to a girl in Sydney, and the otber when he took possession of Weller's belongings, by which he was traced.

April 28.

Amongst otber statements of Butler, evidently with ulteiior motives, is that his father died a lunatic. Another crime which he hints he knows something about is the murder of a man at Coofcamundra, whose body, with its head battered in, was found in a waterhole two years ago.

Tne detectives interviewed fully confirm JBatler'd confessions of tho murder of Burgess and several others, aad hii attempts at suicide. They are convinced that he can. make more sensational disclosures, and will do bo in the near future.

Butler states that he spent four yaars in Western Australia, and served a little while, in the police force there as a probationer. He hinted at many dark crimes in WeEtralis, and that he partook in the Bricking up of the gold escorts. He says he is not going to be known as Builer any more, but by the too common name of Jobn Smith.

April 29

It transpires that Butler has made a statement that he is without means to defend himself. The Crown will supply counsel.

The Crown have also issued orders prohibiting anyone from seeing tho prisoner. Tbe latter, desired to make a statement to the newspapers, but the request was refused.