Controversial Sentencing of Jesse Butler Sparks Outrage and Calls for Investigation
The Stillwater police recently released body camera footage of the arrest of Jesse Butler, a minor at the time, for multiple rape-related charges. Butler pleaded no-contest to 10 rape-related charges and one charge of violating a protective order, resulting in a 78-year sentence that was reduced to counseling instead of jail time through a deal between the prosecution and defense. Some speculate that Butler's father's connections as a former football director at Oklahoma State University influenced the lenient sentence. The case attracted national attention and prompted Oklahoma lawmaker Justin JJ Humphrey to call for an official investigation into the sentence. Stillwater police are investigating calls made to Stillwater Public Schools about the case, and a rally is planned at the Payne County Courthouse on Nov. 5 to protest Butler's sentence.