Tell Oklahoma attorney general to investigate sweetheart deal with rapist

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Tell Oklahoma attorney general to investigate sweetheart deal with rapist

The petition to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond reads:

Stillwater star athlete Jesse Butler committed horrific crimes against his victims: strangulation, rape, and threats to silence them. Rather than facing the same punishment as other convicted rapists, he was given a chance at rehabilitation. Meanwhile, his traumatized victims are left picking up the pieces of their lives and wondering why their rapist was not held accountable. Please investigate the Payne County District Attorney's Office and whether Butler was given preferential treatment in this horrific case, to make sure that victims' needs are centered.

In a slap in the face to survivors everywhere, an 18-year-old Oklahoma star athlete and son of a well-known and connected father has skirted accountability for multiple serious crimes of rape and strangulation. Not only was Jesse Butler a star athlete at his high school, but his father, Mack Butler, is the former director of football operations at Oklahoma State University, which is located in the same jurisdiction as the Payne County prosecutors who investigated and prosecuted Butler.

Despite the seriousness of Butler's crimes, which left at least two women traumatized and one almost dead by strangulation, a court reclassified the 18-year-old as a youthful offender, which means he will not serve a single day in prison. The victims' families and at least one lawmaker have pointed out that it appears that Butler received favorable treatment in comparison to other defendants accused and/or convicted of similar crimes.

"Does it absolutely smack of political favor that you're going to erase rapes and sexual crimes so you can give this guy a slap on the wrist?" State Representative J.J. Humphrey (R-Lane) rhetorically asked FOX News. "Oklahoma, better pay attention. Wake up."

We agree that the Payne County district attorney's deal with Butler smells.

Sign the petition to tell Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to investigate the Payne County DA's handling of Butler's case!