William Thomas Butler
Murderer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Location
- Surbiton, London, England, United Kingdom
- Date of birth
- 1909
- Age at first offence
- 29
- Characteristics
- robbery
- Victim profile
- Ernest Percival Key, 64 (jeweler)
- Method of murder
- St abbing with knife
- Date(s) of murder
- December 24, 1938
- Years active
- 1938
- Date of arrest
- Same day
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by hanging at Wandsworth Prison on March 29, 1939
Case record
William Thomas Butler was convicted of murdering Ernest Percival Key.
Background
Ernest Percival Key ran a jewellers shop in Surbiton for the past 20 years and was well known in the area. William Butler was 29 years old. He was married and was a father of two.
The offence
On 24 December 1938 just before noon, Ernest Percival Key was discovered in his shop. He had been stabbed in the head, face, and arms and was covered in blood. He died before he got to hospital.
The police were soon able to establish that a quantity of jewellery was missing. This was obviously the motive for the attack. The attacker left behind a bowler hat.
Ernest Percival Key had been stabbed more than thirty times in his head and face, with more wounds to his arms.
Investigation
The attacker left behind one vital clue in the shape of a bowler hat.
Less than an hour after the attack, William Butler took a taxi to Kingston hospital. He was examined by Dr Day, who found that Butler’s hands were badly cut. Blood was issuing from Butler’s gloves.
Butler gave the doctor the name of Charles Jackson and said that he had been accidentally injured by a wood-cutting machine.
Within a fortnight, Butler was picked up by police. He then said that his injuries came when he was knocked down by a motor-cycle. He also claimed he had given the hospital a false name and address to avoid having to pay for his treatment.
Arrest and charge
William Butler was arrested and charged with the murder of Mr Key.
Trial
Butler came to trial at the Old Bailey on 15th February 1939.
The defence tried to claim that Butler had acted in self-defence and that the charge should be reduced to one of manslaughter. This plea was not accepted. Butler stood trial for murder.
The trial lasted into its second day. Butler was found guilty.
Sentencing
Butler was hanged at Wandsworth Prison on 29 March 1939.
Outcome
William Thomas Butler was found guilty of murder and was executed by hanging at Wandsworth Prison on March 29, 1939.
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