Butler Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Second-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Charles Butler pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Resisting Officer Without Violence and was sentenced to 40 years in Florida State Prison with a mandatory minimum 25 years for his crimes. The Honorable Judge Lindsay Tygart oversaw the proceedings.

On Nov. 13, 2022, officers with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home in the Deercreek area of Jacksonville in reference to a person shot. Officers spoke with Butler’s ex-wife who advised she had driven Butler over to the house to retrieve a set of car keys from the victim. She told police that Butler confronted the victim on the front porch of the home and then shot and killed him. Butler’s ex-wife ran from the vehicle after shots were fired and hid as Butler got back into the vehicle and fled the scene. Butler’s ex-wife then called 911.  The victim died on scene. The victim is Butler’s stepdaughter’s ex-boyfriend.

Later that same morning, Officers went to Butler’s address to locate him. Officers saw Butler walking in the courtyard and gave commands to stop. Buter ignored the commands. Officers deployed a CEW (conducted electrical weapon) and arrested Butler. During the apprehension, Butler admitted to police he shot the victim because he believed he abused his stepdaughter.  

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson.