THE DUNEDIN MURDERS

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2189, 24 March 1880, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN MURDERS

TOWN EDITION.

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER AGAINST Butler. The Coroners inquest re the Dewar family was continued yesterday at the Dunedin Police Court: — The first witness was Henry Youugman, who deposed—l am Town Belt ranger for the city of Dunedin. On Saturday morning last, having read the newspapers and noticed that Sarah Gillespie had stated that the boots of the man Butler were covered with mud, I drew a conclusion from that that the man must have been skulking in the bush in a gully between Judged Chapman’s house and the Northern Cemetery. I went on purpose to search for the clothes in that locallity. I mot Sergeant Deane and told him my intention.

The Coroner—Yes, it was very creditable of you to do so. Witness proceeded —■ At about ten o’clock I went into the bush, and at nearly one o’clock I discovered a salmon tin (produced) a little distance from the road, and within about 50 yards of the cemetery. Five or six paces further in the bush I found the coat produced. I brought the coat to the detective office. Owing to the fern the coat could not be seen until one was within two or three yards of it. It was out of the way of any track. It was folded np with the inside out. The coat was damp. The morning was so wet that I was wet through. I do not consider that the coat was so wet as to lead to the belief that any stain upon it had been washed out. It was damp, not wet. I returned afterwards with Detective Bain, and showed him where I had left the salmon tin lying. I searched then until 6 o’clock, but found nothing else. On Sunday morning I resumed the search at half-past ten. After going round by Opoho and the Botanical Gardens, I returned to the spot where I had found the coat and salmon tin. About three or four yards from where I had found the coat, I picked up the hat and necktie produced. The hat was crushed and the necktie lying in it. The ground fern was so dense that I must have ncarty trodden on the hat, and so must Detective Bain, the previous day without seeing it. I brought the hat and necktie to the police station. The Coroner —Credit is due to you for your exertions. Dr Brown gave evidence in reference to the death of Mrs Dewar, and the nature of the injuries inflicted on her and her husband. The man Butler’s shirt being produced he deposed as follows I recognise this shirt. It was given to me by Mr Mallard. I examined it, and found a number of small clots of blood, and some stains of blood without clot upon it. There arc eight clots of blood, and four stains. They arc situated principally on the collar band, under the pleats in front, and on the sholder-baud ; one on the left sleeve ; one under the right armpit; and one on the loft wristband there are two very small clots. It is stained also on the right wristband. I subjected the clots to a chemical and microscopic test, and am convinced they are blood. There is a small clot also on the collar. The Coroner —Could you say whether these are human or any other blood ? Witness —I could not. The blood discs correspond in size to those of human blood. Various animals that suckle their young have blood the discs of which correspond in size to those of human blood. Witness continued —This flannel was handed to me. On the neckband at the back there is a small stain I also believe to be of blood. I have seen a coat, scarf, and hat also. The coat was very damp when I got it. On the left lla|j of the breast there was a small red spot opposite the buttonhole which gave the same result by chemical test as the spots on the shirt. It had been exposed and I could not get microscopic results. There was a similar spot on the inside of the right sleeve, near the edge of the binding ; and to-day I discovered a small patch inside near where the collar and flap join. The shirt was hero handed round for inspection by the jury. Witness continued —On the scarf there was an egg-stain in front; along the back I found one that gave a similar color under the microscope to those on the shirt. I cannot say that it positively is blood. I looked at the hat also, and found nothing on it. The Coroner (to Dr Brown) —There is nothing incompatible in the supposition that marks of blood on the shirt wore caused by the blows of the axe ? Witness—No. It is a very likely way in which they would be caused. Frederick Mallard deposed—l am an inspector of police stationed in Dunedin. On Monday, the loth instant, Detective Henderson and myself arrived at Waikouaiti by the evening train at half-past 7. I immediately went to the lock-up, and the accused Butler was wearing the white shirt which has been referred to by Dr Brown. I made a note of what took place in the lock-up as soon afterwards as I could. The first thing I did was to go to the telegraph office, and send a telegram to Superintendent Weldon. I made the note I produce and now read at 2 o’clock on Tuesday morning : “On arrival at Waikouaiti immediately saw Butler in lock-up. Was lying down. He at once asked me what was the charge against him. I told him he was charged with the murder of the

mau and woman in Cumberland street on Sunday morning. He became terribly agitated, and had a choking appearance in his throat. The words he said, and which I sent in ray telegram to Mr Weldon, are these : “If it’s that you can get no evidence against me, and if I am hanged for it I shall die an innocent man.” The words I wrote at two o’clock in ths morning, however, are: “If that is the charge, I have nothing to fear, for there is no evidence against me, and if I am hanged I shall die an innocent man, whatever other crimes I have committed.” I said, “ There is evidence to convict you ; the fire was put out, Butler.” He said, “Since you have told me that, I will ask you a question.” After pausing he said, “ I will not ask you anything.” I then examined his clothes, and said, “ These are not the clothes you left the Scotia in.” Butler answered, “No; I threw them away in the North-east Yalley. These clothes I have always had ; Mr Caldwell will tell you that.” I said, “ How can that be, when Mr Caldwell has not seen you?” He said, “ There are other clothes too.” I said, “What has become of your moustache ? You have taken it off.” It was off. He replied, “ I took it off while I was on the road.” His hands are much scratched, as if bybushes. Several times he commenced to ask questions, but then said, 1 No, I won’t ask you anything.’ He appealed to Constable Conlbourne and Townsend, who were with Detective Henderson and myself that they ought to remember him hereafter, as he could have shot them if he wished. ‘ Yes,’ said Constable Colbourne ‘so you would if we hadn’t rushed you, and you got no chance,’ At 10.45 p.m. visited the lock-up. Butler said, ‘ls that you Mr Mallard ? I want to speak to you. I want you, as a favor, to ask the Press not to publish my carreer, and give me fair play ; but I suppose I shall be convicted, and you will see I can die like a man.’ ” These were the notes of the conversation that I took down to refresh my memory. The jury retired at a quarter to 8, and at 11 o’clock returned with a verdict of wilful murder and arson against Eobcrt Butler, alias Donnelly. Eiders were added to the effect that Butler should have been present at the inquest, and complimenting Fireman Eobb, and Constables Townsend and Colbourne.