Owen Caudle Butner was executed at the Nevada State Prison on February 10, 1951. He was convicted in the murder of his ex-wife Mildred Butner on December 30, 1947 in Reno.

Butner was a native of Gardnerville, Nevada and at the time of his death was 39 years old. Owen Butner claimed at the time of the shooting of his ex-wife that he was shooting it out with gangsters who were killing babies and putting them in the ice box at the Mapes Hotel.

Owen and Mildred Butner were married in 1933. They lived together both in California and Nevada. Owen Butner was a policeman with the Reno Police Department from 1941 to August 15, 1947. The Butner's were divorced and then remarried. In September of 1947 Mildred Butner received her second divorce from her husband. Owen Butner pleaded with his ex-wife for another reconcilement, but was rebuffed.

On the night of the murder Owen Butner was outside his ex-wives house when she drove up with another man. When Mildred Butner exited the car Owen Butner shot her three times. When picked up he said, "God, that's too bad, but I had to do it. She was an awfully nice woman. I suppose I will have to take the gas, but I had to do it."

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