Jury hears ‘catastrophic’ effect of skinhead’s early years

Kim Smith

Friday, Jan. 5, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

The circumstances in which John Edward Butler was raised, combined with his drug usage, had a "catastrophic cumulative" effect on him, jurors were told Thursday.

Mark Cunningham, a clinical forensic psychologist, took the stand as defense attorneys continued in their efforts to save Butler from death row.

Butler, a racist skinhead, was convicted last week in the July 4, 1998, deaths of Lin Newborn, 25, and Daniel Shersty, 20.

Prosecutors believe Butler, with the aid of others, ambushed and killed the pair in the desert northwest of Las Vegas because of their biracial friendship and anti-racist beliefs.

Newborn was black and Shersty white.

Jurors must decide if Butler, 29, should be executed for the crimes or receive a life sentence with or without the possibility of parole.

Cunningham took the stand in an effort to show why Butler turned out as he did and to persuade the jurors that Butler will not pose a risk once imprisoned.

Cunningham testified that a recent U.S. Department of Justice study found that violent offenders often share similar backgrounds. Of the 28 factors identified by the DOJ, Butler has 24, Cunningham said.

Like those studied, Butler's family has a history of substance abuse and criminal tendencies, moved around a great deal and was desperately poor. Butler was sexually assaulted as a child, lacked a supportive father-figure, did poorly in school and ultimately turned to drugs to self-medicate himself, Cunningham said.

Butler began drinking at 12, smoking marijuana at 13, used cocaine at 14 and was "slamming" methamphetamine at 17, Cunningham said.

Studies show methamphetamine and crack cocaine often lead to impulsiveness, paranoia and violence, Cunningham said.

The psychologist said Butler was so emotionally bankrupt when he was sent to prison on a burglary charge at 21 that the skinheads likely became his family. The color of their skin is often the only thing that skinheads see as making them "special," he said.

Cunningham compared Butler to a piece of Swiss cheese in that he may have holes in his makeup, but he also has whole pieces -- such as his loyalty to his family and his ability to behave well in the Clark County Detention Center.

The defense is expected to wrap up its portion of the punishment phase today. Following the state's rebuttal witnesses, if any, closing arguments will be heard.