Child murder jury must take dispassionate approach to evidence

The judge trying Ben Butler for murdering his six-year-old daughter has urged jurors to take a ‘dispassionate’ approach despite the ‘distressing and disturbing’ evidence in the case. The 36-year-old is accused of causing catastrophic head injuries to little Ellie while looking after her at their home in Sutton, southwest London. He and partner Jennie Gray, 36, are also accused of child cruelty over an untreated shoulder fracture suffered by their daughter in the weeks leading up to her death on…