who was brenton butler lawyer

What is the Brenton Butler case?

The Brenton Butler case (officially State of Florida v. Brenton Leonard Butler) was a murder case in Jacksonville, Florida.

Who is Brenton Lenard Butler?

Brenton Lenard Butler was charged with murder and armed robbery in the death of MaryAnn Stephens, of Toccoa, GA. At age 15 Brenton Butler, Could have faced life in prison without Parole if he was convicted of first -degree murder.

Is Brenton Butler based on a true story?

" [The character's] name was inspired by the real Brenton Butler because his story was so intensely heart wrenching and illuminated the travesties of the justice system criminalizing innocent young Black men."

Was Brenton Butler the guy who shot his wife?

Stephens stated he was sure that Brenton Butler was the guy who shot his wife. There were no other witnesses. James Stephen said to the court he recognized his face, build and in particular his “skinny legs”.

How long did it take to find Brenton Butler guilty?

No physical evidence. The trial lasted 10 days, but it only took the jury 45 minutes to find Brenton Butler not guilty. Lack of evidence, coupled with conflicting and implausible testimonies given by the detectives in the courtroom, lead to Butler’s freedom. Following the acquittal, the individual actually involved in the murder was arrested ...

Who was the boy accused of murder?

If you didn’t follow the trial itself, you most likely saw the Oscar-winning documentary, “Murder on a Sunday Morning,” about the trial of Brenton Butler , a 15-year-old boy who was accused of the murder of a woman in Jacksonville, Florida on May 7, 2000.

Did the police call Butler's parents?

Butler said police beat a confession out of him and didn't let him call his parents until he signed it 12 hours after his arrest. The detectives asked him many questions but never called his family or neighbors to verify where Butler was, what he was doing, or who he was with during the day of the murder.

Who was the state attorney for the case of Butler?

State Attorney Harry Shorstein and Sheriff Nat Glover did admit after the fact that Butler had been wrongfully arrested and charged. Butler's family sued the city of Jacksonville over the ordeal, alleging racial profiling and inadequate training, and the parties settled on a $775,000 payout.

Why was Bustle inspired by Brenton Butler?

Netflix provided Bustle the following statement from showrunner Veena Sud: " [The character's] name was inspired by the real Brenton Butler because his story was so intensely heart wrenching and illuminated the travesties of the justice system criminalizing innocent young Black men.".

What happened to Jimmy Butler in Seven Seconds?

Jacksonville station News4Jax reported that Butler was arrested and charged in May 2000 with killing a Georgia tourist at a motel. Butler eventually confessed to the crime, even though the murder weapon was never found ...

Is the real Butler in the documentary?

The real Butler's story became fairly well known, having become nationally recognized when it became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Murder On A Sunday Morning. Seven Seconds is connecting itself to another story about injustice with a young black man at its center, and the association could be what introduces audiences in 2018 to ...

Did Butler confess to the murder?

Butler eventually confessed to the crime, even though the murder weapon was never found and other key physical evidence was missing. The prosecutor's case was based on testimony by employees of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as well as what was purported to be a written confession by Butler, the outlet stated in another article.

Who stopped Brenton Butler?

Officer T. L. Martin of the Jacksonville sheriff’s office said in court that he stopped Brenton Butler and told him that a murder had taken place and he asked will Brenton be willing to talk to detectives. Brenton Butler agreed to talk to detectives. Brenton was given a gunshot residue test.

Why was Brenton Butler's arrest erroneous?

The eyewitness identification of Brenton Butler was erroneous because the psychological trauma that James Stephen went through. Mistakes were made in the investigation of the crime. Brenton Butler arrest was a case of mistaken identity. Mr. Stephens stated he was sure that Brenton Butler was the guy who shot his wife.

How long was Brenton Butler in jail?

Although Butler served six months in jail waiting upon trail, Brenton still maintained his innocence. I concluded that police officers and the prosecutorial misconduct play a major role in which investigations leading to wrongful convictions and unsafe streets. Most criminal cases brought to trail are adequate.

How old was Brenton Butler when he was sentenced to death?

At age 15 Brenton Butler, Could have faced life in prison without Parole if he was convicted of first -degree murder. In Florida nobody the age of sixteen or younger can face the death penalty.

Why was Brenton Butler's confession suppressed?

Brenton Butler‘s confession should have been suppressed because of the interrogation which forced him to admit to a murder that he has no connections with. Both of the detectives that were assigned to the case were accused of interrogation of Butler.

Did Brenton Butler have skinny legs?

The case against Brenton Butler proceeded to trail, but he was acquitted. After Brenton was acquitted, Mr. Stephens then described the suspect to have skinny legs.

Did Brenton Butler test for gunshot residue?

Brenton Butler agreed to talk to detectives. Brenton was given a gunshot residue test. Deborah Lightfoot, a crime lab analyst with the Florida Department of law Enforcement in Orlando, testified that she did not detect any gunshot residue on the test of Brenton’s hands. Mr.

What did the Butler lawsuit say?

The lawsuit said racial profiling and inadequate training and supervision led to the arrest and false imprisonment of Butler. It was filed after he was acquitted by a jury that was critical of the police investigation and prosecution.

When was Jimmy Butler arrested?

The settlement releases the police officers from any liability. Butler -- then 15 -- was arrested in May of 2000 and charged with killing a Georgia tourist at a Jacksonville motel.

How much did the Butler family get paid?

According to the family's attorney, Tom Fallis, the settlement calls for the city to pay Butler $775,000. The settlement followed three weeks of negotiations between the parties over the suit, which was filed in October.