BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Michael Jerome Butler, 35, of Greenville, Alabama is now facing multiple other felony charges both in Autauga County, other counties and even out of state.
Butler appeared via video conference this afternoon before Judge Joy Booth, for his first appearance on initial kidnapping a minor for sexual assault charges. After hearing from District Attorney CJ Robinson on those and new charges, Judge Booth made the decision to hold Butler without bond in the Autauga County Metro Jail. He was originally being held on $1.5 million.
Additional charges related to the kidnapping of two minor females from the Prattville Walgreen earlier this week include sodomy, robbery and sexual torture.
Robinson told the court that Butler has a lengthy criminal history, and should be considered dangerous to society if he is in the free world. He said the charges against Butler are proof the Prison Reform Bill and the justice system have failed society, as Butler should be serving sentences for previous crimes.
Officials learned that the Pardons and Parole System had Butler listed as incarcerated, but he was in fact out of jail and scheduled to meet with his probation officer during the time he was being sought for various crimes. He also has a history of failing to appear in court on previous arrests.
Robinson went over the horrific, alleged incidents that brought the victims and their families to court this afternoon. The two girls went to Walgreens over the weekend when they were approached by Butler, he said. Butler forced the girls into his vehicle at gunpoint, which began a nightmare from which both victims are lucky to be alive. Robinson called their survival “miraculous.”
He and other officials have had high praise for the young girls’ ability to keep their wits during a nightmare situation, and their determination to seek justice against their alleged attacker.
Robinson said that Butler’s actions in Prattville kicked of a spree of violent crime, both in state and out of state, until he was captured Saturday night in north Alabama after a high-speed pursuit with Jefferson County officials. Butler reportedly wrecked his vehicle during the pursuit, which began a short foot pursuit. Officials located weapons in the vehicle and other evidence which matched up to victims’ statements.
Prior to his capture, allegations include potential murder, home invasion, and shootings outside of the Autauga County area. Different agencies will be investigating those, but officials from St. Clair County were set to meet today in Prattville to go over evidence collected from Butler’s vehicle that could be used against him in a murder over the weekend.
Robinson met with media following the first appearance and said that he is limited on how much information he can release at this time, but further hearings will be coming in this case.
“I will say that these two young women did nothing wrong at all. They were targeted by Butler, and this was an absolutely random act. The women have no prior contact with our suspect. It was something that could have happened to anyone, but it happened right here. These young women are heroes and they are devoted to this case. I wish this trial were being held today, because they are ready to show they are not victims, they are survivors.”
During Robinson’s presentation to Judge Booth, Butler became agitated and at one point accused Robinson of lying during the video conference. Judge Booth addressed Butler, admonishing him, and told him not to speak “One more word.”
Robinson said he is not concerned about what Butler has to say at this point, because the evidence is substantial and clear. “The simple fact that we did not have to zip these two young ladies into a body bag is nothing short of a miracle,” Robinson said.
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