Jury to consider death for skinhead

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 11:19 a.m.

Jurors who must decide if a Nazi skinhead should receive the death penalty for the murders of two anti-racist skinheads will learn today he has not been a model prisoner.

John Edward Butler, 29, was convicted last week of murdering Daniel Shersty, 20, and Lin Newborn, 25, on July 4, 1998. Prosecutors believe the men were lured out into the desert by Butler's girlfriend under the guise of a date and ambushed by Butler and possibly others.

Jurors must decide if Butler, who is the only person charged in the crime, should be sentenced to death or given a life sentence with or without the possibility of parole.

They will have to weigh the aggravating circumstances given to them by prosecutors against any mitigating circumstances offered to them by defense attorneys Bret Whipple and Joseph Sciscento.

Deputy District Attorney Bill Kephart said in addition to the fact that Butler was convicted of multiple murders in the present case, he and fellow prosecutor Christopher Laurent intend to present evidence regarding Butler's past arrests and convictions.

Butler has been arrested numerous times on theft and weapons charges and served prison time on a burglary conviction.

At the time of his arrest in the murder case, Butler was found in possession of a gun, a stolen vehicle and drugs.

While serving time, Butler has escaped from his cell, been involved in at least two attacks on other inmates -- one involving a noose -- and participated in a prison black market, Kephart said.

Newborn's father and an aunt of Shersty are also expected to testify.