Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-01-26
SPANELL'S
DEFENSE At
REST; WILL
END TRIAL
SATURDAY

San ANGELO, Tex, Jan. 26.-The de
fense rested today in the Harry Spaniel
ease and the state began rebuttal, announc-
ing that it probably will be late tomorrow
before II finishes.
Private X. Granger of the Sixth United
States cavalry. Colonel Buffers regiment,
testified that Butler was ncknamed by the
soldiers "Bull'' Butler. and that his repu-
tation as ''woman chaser was bad
A. II. Newell of Alpine said that shortly
before the shooting he was talking with
Colonel Butler when the Spanells came out
of the hotel, got into their automobile and
Spaniel commanded Butler to get IN Mrs.
SPANIEL was pale, he said, a they drove
away. He soon heard shots.
James Dodd Of Alpine testified that the
automobile and he heard Butler say, "Mr.
SPANIEL, will you let me explain9"
Judge Turney of Alpine, the first state
rebuttal witness. said that Buffers repu-
tation regarding attentions to women ''was
good
DIR. r. Bcrkly. J. ID. Jackson. J. ".
Yates and County Attorney Nose Slater,
all Of Alpine. said that Colonel Buffers
reputation was good.
Spaniel Yesterday. convulsiveIy sobbing.
told the story Of the fatal shooting for the
first time. Tears flowed freely down the
cheeks of the Jurors, women IN the aud
ience wept and counsel showed deep emo
tion.
SPANIEL testified that Col. Butler fired
the shot that killed Mrs. SPANIEL. II was
most drumatic story.
Details of the actual shooting were pre-
ccded by narration of previous incidents
in which Spaniel testified Col. Butler paid
undue attention To Mrs. Spaniel. following
his wife "evervwhcre" To ''show her up"
On the evening of the shooting he saw
his wife emerge excitedlv from Buffers
room IN the hotel. which Mrs.. Butler had
left for moment. Mrs. Spaniel told the
defendant that "someihng had happened"
which she would tell him after going home.
He insisted upon having it out with Butler
then and invited Butler into his automobile.
After going a few blocks he asked Butler
what he had done upstairs. Butler said
he had done nothing. that Mrs SPANIEL was
excited and misunderstood him. Col. But
Ter had followed the two women upstairs.
Mrs. Spaniel told Butler he had no right to
follow them.
Spaniel testified that he told Butler that
man who follows "women around
nothing but -r At this Butler
jumped up in the seat and said If Mrs.
Spaniel was not present he would choke
those words down SpaneIs throat. Mrs.
Spaniel said. ''no he won't" he had Insulted
her. Mrs. SPANIEL said Butler had grab
bed her while She was IN hi room. but she
"could not repeat his filthy words."
Butler then hit Spaniel in the back of
the head and grabbed him. SPANIEL got his
gun from under the ear seat, which But
let took away from him. Tie then remem
bcrcd the small pistol in his pocket. got It
and fired Several shots were exchanged,
Spaniel standing behind Mrs SPANIEL.
The witness said that he was IN haze
and the next thing he knew Butler was
dead on the ground and his wife was dead
in the ear door.
Cross examined, Spaniel. replying 70
questions. said he could tell no more about
the shooting. because il was a nightmare
and he was under a cloud"