Milford chronicle., 1926-02-12
BUTLER SENTENCED TO HANG
AFTER SUSSEX JURY FINDS
HIM GUILTY OF ASSAULT
Continued from nrst pagS)

their animOsity toward the prisoner
was open.
Following Mr.. Steinmetz on the
witness stand, John M. Wiley de-
scribed how he had aided the father
in his search and told of the ter
rible condition of the little girl
when she was found.
Corporal James, of the State Po-
lice force, on taking the stand told
of the arrest of Harry Butler on an
other charge. He described Buffers
action upon arrest, and how Butler
had confessed to the crime after he
had been taken to the Steinmetz
home. The signed confession of the
prisoner was offered in evidence at
that time. An effort was made by the
attorneys for the negro, Daniel G.
Layton and James M. Tunnel, to
have this stricken from the record,
but the judges ruled otherwise and
the confession was read to the jury.
In it he told of his actions on the
day of the crime, of his attack and
the resistance offered by the child.
Several physicians were called to
give testimony as to the child's con-
dition, among them being Drs. Jones
and NAPLES of Georgetown; DR.. Bee
be of Lewes, and DR.. Oliver V. James
and Willard R. Pierce, of Milford.
The two latter physicians are affili-
ated with the Milford Emergency
Hospital and are in daily attend
ance upon the little Steinmetz girl.
Other witnesses were used by the
State in weaving its net about the
prisoner.
Butler, himself, was the only wit
ness called by the defense. With a
smile on his lips he admitted at
tacking the Steinmetz girl. He ad-
mitted the truth of nearly every |
charge made by the State. He denied,
however, that he had succeeded in |
carrying out his intentions. He ad- |
mitted having attempted to assault |
the child and having beaten her with |
a stick. He heard the jury bring in
its verdict and the judge pronounce
his doom without sign Of outward |
The scene in the court room was
one of business-like activity. Every
person entering the room, with the
exception of officials and newspaper
men, was searched for weapons.
None were admitted until this search
had been made. State Police sur
rounded the prisoner as he was
brought into the room, and remained
near him throughout the trial. Those
within the court room acted orderly
and during the entire trial quietness
so intense as to be noticeable was
had. The jury intently listened to
The story of the assault and express
sions on the face of the men who
we're to ballot on his guilt or inno-
cence early indicated to those with
n the room that there would be
little doubt of the conviction of the
negro. Every opportunity was Civ
N Butler to defend himself, and the
was brought before the
,ourt in leisurely manner which
vas possibly in direct opposition to
he desires of those who desired
Iuick snap judgment.
After the jury had been given the
ase they retired for deliberatiofi.
Within eight minutes they were back |
n the court room with their verdict
f guilt. It is said that it took the
1ry just one minute and a half to !
each its decision, and that the re-
lainder of the time was consumed
q putting the verdict in proper l
Orm. Immediately following the
the verdict by the jury, 4
hief Justice James E. Pennewill a
Butler to hang on Friday, t
ebruary 26th, in the Georgetown I
lilyard between the hours of 10 o. I
lock in the morning and o'clock 1
l the afternoon. S