Anger is growing in an Oklahoma community over a “skwety as hell” plea to an 18-year-old charged with rape and assault in the Community and commitment to counseling.
Jesse Butler, still in the water, initially faced 78 years in prison after an adult on 10 allegations, rape by assault and domestic assault on two women.
But a judge in Payne County, Susan C worthless, gave the youth offender status as a youth. He pleaded no contest to the charges and agreed to a deal with prosecutors that would see him avoid prison time and serve 150 hours of community service, according to Oklahoma News Channel KJRH.
The court approved the arrangement in advance, a rehabilitation plan that allows juvenile offenders in Oklahoma to serve 13- to 17-year-olds charged with serious crimes.
Residents and politicians opposed the deal, saying it was an insult to the victims. They, like Butler, were students at Hayskett High School when he attacked them and were forced to share a classroom with him for weeks after he was charged early last year.
“To fight out of more than 75 years in prison with 100-something hours of community service? That sketcher like impression of Republican Stusn Humphrey told the Oklahoman.
“It angered everyone who heard it.”
Twelve protesters gathered in the courtyard on Wednesday to criticize the agreement and call for the firing of Laura Thomas, the Payne County District Attorney.
Thomas is an alumna of Oklahoma State University, where Butler’s father worked as a director of operations for the college’s football program. Worthy Worthy is also an Oklahoma State University Alumna.
“Almost losing your life, having a video recorded of you almost losing your life, and your Assaulter just being able to serve the community.
Another, Nancy Janai Irving, said: “None of these women got the justice they deserved. They were silenced, and she still doesn’t regret what she did.”
According to prosecutors, Butler was the boyfriend of one of the victims, whose mother gave victim impact statements. Koco reported that his daughter is gone even though their relationship.
“As a mother, I never thought that I would have to watch my daughter fight this kind of battle – one where she is proven to be the victim of the victim who hurt her,” she said.
“My daughter uses it with more energy than most adults. She still shows up to school, even though she smiles like she’s hiding from the adults that she’s failed to motivate and upset her.”
The girl told the court that Butler beat her and pretended to rape her after he finished her. He said he was then threatened to kill him or his family if he spoke out.
“What happened to me was not just abuse or harassment – it was almost attempted murder,” he said. “Thirty seconds and it’s not my statement. It’s my mother because I couldn’t have been saved. I survived what she did, but I’m not the same.”
Attorneys for Butler did not respond to requests from multiple media outlets for comment.
Thomas’ office also did not respond but sent a statement to the Oklaheman saying Butler has the right to seek reclassification of Juvela’s status.
Butler, it said, must “complete his rehabilitation plan successfully, including an aggressive schedule with an adult rehabilitation specialist and a sentence of 10 years in prison”.
He is also subject to a curfew, banned from social media, and must attend daily check-ins and weekly counseling on his 19th birthday, Thomas’ office said.