Stanton County High School Principal Trial Begins

A northeast Kansas high school principal is

on trial on charges of aggravated burglary, arson and criminal

damage.

The trial began Monday for 36-year-old Craig D. Butler, who has

been suspended with pay from Stanton County High School in Johnson.

The charges were filed before Butler was hired as principal there.

The Hutchinson News reports that Johnson County authorities

allege that Butler burglarized the home of his wife in Olathe, and

setting fire to his wife’s car and damaging some of her property.

Butler’s attorney, Paul Morrison, has said Butler will use “a

lack of mental state” as his defense. In a separate case in

Johnson County, Butler is charged with violating a

protection-from-abuse order in October 2008. He pleaded innocent to

the charge.