The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-14
HEARD IN COURT.
lanes Butler on Trial for Murder OF
His Wife Before Judge Wilbur.

The trial of James Butler, for the muir
der of his wife, Mabel, in Cranston, on
the 18th of November last, was begun be-
fore Mr.. Justice Wilbur this morning,
the attorney general appearing for the
State and Albert A. Baker for the defend
ant. The selecting OF the jury occupied
a large portion of the morning, but
they were finally sworn as follows: sam
uei l.. Taber, foreman, North Smithfield;
Thomas A. Reynolds, Smithfield; John 3.
Olney, Lincoln; John Il. Phillips, Gloces-
ter; Charles o. Buck, Woonsocket;
Frederick winsor, North Providence;
dence; William III. whippIe, North
Providence; James Crofton, Cranston;
William p. Browneli, Johnston;
Sterry X. Luther, Johnson; Israel w.
Brayton, Cranston.
Thomas A. Crawford of Providence,
James McLan yhlin OF Cumberland, and
Henry +. Prue of Woonsocket were per-
emptorly challenged by the defendant.
John l.. Carey Of Johnston and Gilman
Brown OF Woonsocket were excused, hav-
ing formed an opinion.
Toe case as alleged by the prosecution Is
substantially as follows:
lathe accused, a colored man about q
years of age lived with his wife, a colored
girl about IL years of age, near Knights
vile at Sockanosset Hin. On the day OF
the fatality quarrel arose between the
couple and an attempt was made
by the defendant TO cut his
wife with a razor. He then threw
lighted lamp at her which broke and
covered her with oil. The oil caught fire
and burned her entire body SO severely
that she died two days later at the Rhode
Island Hospital, where she was removed
soon after The assault.
w. III. Johnson, physician, attended Mrs.
Butler and testaried as TO the mortal
nature of the woman's wounds, and said
tha. after he had dressed them and was
returning to his Office he was met by the
defendant, who assisted in getting carri-
age to carly his wife TO the hospital.
Butler iaquired into the condition OF
his wife's wounds and seemed much dis
turbed.
Matilda +. Garrison, foster-mother of
the DECEASED, testified that the couple had
been married about a year when the
trouble occurred which resulted in
Mabel's death. Witness said that she was
an eye witness OF the scene.
Butler got into dispute with his wife
about 5 O'clock in the evening over her al
legged infidelity. Butler tried to get his
razor, but did not succeed in ipjuring his
wife. He then tried to throw
the lamp and when the wit
ness interposed 10 save the
woman he pushed her away and said "If
i can't have her nobody else shall" Then
he threw the lamp and she jumped out
the window in blaze of fire. The shat
tered lamp was produced in court and the
prisoners eyes sought it with morbid
curiosity. The witness said that
after Rutler had thrown the
lamp he knelt before his
TO the fatality he had threatened his wife
and once had choked her severely.
On cross examination the witness said
that Mabeps grandmother was an Irish
woman. The girl was married to Butler
when she was Is years OF age but they
were not happy. Butter was jealous and
sometimes got angry but was quickly
over 1t. dis wife was of q more unforgiv-
ing nature. The defendant was always at
home In the evening, and never went
around with other women. The
witness thought that Jimmie" was
too old for his wife. She wanted
a more lively time. and was never
satisfied with her marriage. Serious
trouble began last summer when his wifc
made visits to her sister in tho city.
When he found his wife away, he used
TO 60 supperless TO look for her. Some
times be wound cry when she was away.
Timothy Dolan, who was convicted of
steaiing eight fowls from Patrick O'Brien
OF johnston, last week, was brought be-
fore Mr.. Justice Wilbur this morning.
Dolan's mother pleaded in his behalf and
protested his innocence. Judge Wilbur
listened TO her appeal and sentenced Doian
to fine OF S20 and costs.
Joseph Dio, convicted OF breaking and
entering md larceny In Scituate, was
sentenced TO three years imprisonment.
Attorney Bal.ou has been given until
April to file his application for a new
trial in the case OF The State against VIII
liam Stokes, convicted OF murder last
week.
Civil Matters.
The suit OF Charles L. Rollngs and wife
against Dr.. Louis u. Barolet OF Paw
tucket, begun before Mr.. Justice Rogers
Saturday, Is still IN progress.
The plaintiff claims that an assist
ant OF the defendant, who Is
contist, in taking the impression of her
mouth Tor a set OF teeth nearly cboked
her TO death and in removing the plaster
cast from her mouth tore the membrane.
Defendant claims the woman's mouth
was not In a healthy condition. and that
IL was for this reason that the injuries
were caused. The ad damnum is placed
at 5000. Joseph OsHeld, Jr., appears for
the plaintiffs, ana II. ID. McGuinness and
t. w Robinson for the doctor.
Appellate Court.