Oklahoma teen Jesse Butler was met by angry protestors when he showed up to court on Monday, December 8, after it was revealed he will not have to serve any prison time after he was convicted of raping two high school students.
While he was convicted as a youthful offender, a judge relieved Butler, 18, of serving any jail time back in October. In light of the decision, many people have expressed outrage and participated in protests about the decision.
During the December 8 hearing, the court determined Butler is in compliance with the terms of his youthful offender agreement, according to News 9. Due to the conclusion, he will be allowed to remain out of prison and instead, only be on probation.
However, a judge warned him that he will go to prison as an adult for a very long time if he violates the agreement.
As the hearing was taking place, protestors gathered outside of Payne County courthouse in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to argue with the decision to not give Butler — who comes from a prominent family within the community — jail time.
Butler was arrested in March following reports that he assaulted two high school students in Stillwater when he was 16 and 17. According to News 9, he initially faced a sentence of 78 years on multiple charges related to rape. He was convicted in August, though he ultimately avoided jail time by being put on probation.
As part of the youthful offender agreement, Butler is required to complete a youthful offender rehabilitation plan that will include court-mandated community service and counseling.
The protesters surrounded Butler and his family members as they were escorted out a back entrance at the courthouse. In addition to his family, the two survivors also attended the hearing on December 8.
Additionally, one protester confronted Butler’s father and asked him why he chose to support a rapist, according to News 9. However, it’s not clear how Butler’s father responded.
The protestors at the December hearing were not the first people to express concern about the decision. “The justice system here in Stillwater has allowed a violent sex offender to walk free,” protestor Tori Grey told Fox 25 on November 5.
One of Butler’s victim’s parents spoke out about the ruling while appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, December 10. “Community service and counseling doesn’t equate to what he did to her; what he’s taken to her,” her mother said.
The victim’s father added, “[I’m] just hoping that his name will be out there. That somebody will know that he’s capable of this and just anything we can do to prevent other harm.”
Added the dad: “Community service for this type of crime, that’s nothing. People get that for minor crimes.”
The parents explained that their daughter was 16 when they allowed her to start dating Butler, who was her first boyfriend. They said that he initially left a positive impression, though they later learned that Butler sexually assaulted their daughter, when her behavior began to change.
“She doesn’t have her high school friends anymore,” her mother said. “And she’s, I’ll never have a prom picture or a graduation picture because she doesn’t want to walk.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
