Charles Butler

Timeline

• February (year not stated) — Charles M. Butler Jr. was asked to meet Billy Jack Gaither and Steven Mullins on a February night.
• February 19 (year not stated) — Billy Jack Gaither’s throat was slashed and he was beaten to death; his body was burned on a pile of old tires.
• August 5, 1999 — Charles Butler was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
• August 6, 1999 — The New York Times reported that a man was convicted of helping to kill a homosexual and received a life without parole sentence.
• Friday (month and year not stated) — Steven Mullins was scheduled to be sentenced; the prosecution said it would recommend life without parole.

Background

Charles Butler, Jr. was convicted of capital murder in the killing of Billy Jack Gaither, 39. The killing was described as being motivated by what Butler called an unwanted advance because of the victim’s sexual orientation.

The case drew national attention after authorities said Billy Jack Gaither was killed because of his sexual orientation. President Clinton compared the case to the dragging death of a black man in Texas and the fatal beating of Matthew Shepard, a homosexual college student who was lashed to a fence in Wyoming.

The offence

Billy Jack Gaither’s throat was slashed and he was beaten to death. His body was burned on a pile of old tires and was burned atop Gaither’s car.

Investigation

Steven Mullins, who was the man who actually killed Billy Jack Gaither, pleaded guilty earlier and testified against Charles Butler.

Authorities said the younger Mr. Gaither was killed because of his sexual orientation.

Arrest

Charles Butler was convicted of capital murder in the beating and burning death of Billy Jack Gaither.

Trial

Charles Butler was convicted of capital murder in the killing of Billy Jack Gaither. At the request of Gaither’s family, Butler was spared the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Steven Mullins testified that he decided to kill Billy Jack Gaither because Mr. Gaither had made a pass. Mullins said he asked Butler along, and that Butler understood what was to happen. Mullins testified that he cut Gaither’s throat and, when Gaither fought back, Mullins cracked Gaither’s skull with an ax handle.

Butler testified that he had not committed capital murder because he said he did not kill Gaither and did not initiate the murderous plan. Butler blamed the murder on his former friend, Steven Mullins.

On the stand, Butler insisted he had not helped plan the brutal slaying of an Alabama gay man. Butler said: “I was in shock and didn't know what to do,” and later described himself as “shocked and dismayed” when he saw Mullins kill Billy Jack Gaither on Feb. 19.

Butler said that is why he helped Mullins try to cover up the crime by burning the body atop Gaither’s car and a pile of tires. Butler also said: “I was in shock and didn't know what to do,” tearfully.

Mullins testified that Butler suggested the location where Gaither’s throat was slit and offered him a pocketknife to further cut the victim. Mullins also told jurors that Butler and he had a mutual hatred of homosexuals.

Butler’s defense argued that Gaither’s murder began and ended with Mullins and suggested that the skinhead intimidated Butler into participating in his plan.

Butler’s own police statement was introduced, quoting: “Well, sir, he started talking, you know, queer stuff, you know, and I just didn't want no part of it,” which was described as revealing his hostility towards homosexuals.

Marion Gaither, the victim’s father, asked that Mr. Butler not be sentenced to death.

Steven Mullins avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty to capital murder earlier in exchange for a life sentence without parole, and he was scheduled to be sentenced.

Sentencing

Charles Butler was sentenced to life in prison without parole, and the death penalty was not imposed at the request of Billy Jack Gaither’s family.

Steven Mullins was scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, and the prosecution said it would recommend life without parole. The judge could still impose the death penalty on Mullins despite the recommendation.

Outcome

Charles Butler was convicted of capital murder in the killing of Billy Jack Gaither, 39, involving slashing, beating, and burning of the body on a pile of old tires.

Steven Mullins pleaded guilty and testified against Butler, and Mullins was scheduled to be sentenced.

Aftermath

Marion Gaither said he “can't see taking another human beings life, no matter what,” and he hoped his son would not be remembered as a gay murder victim, but as “one of the finest sons a man could want.”

The New York Times reported that a man was convicted of helping to kill a homosexual and sentenced to life without parole.

The family was pleased with the verdict and had requested leniency for Butler.

Charles Butler said when asked about his reaction to the killing: “I was in shock and didn't know what to do.”

Other details

Charles M. Butler Jr. was 21 at the time described in the report. Steven Mullins was 25 at the time described in the report.

The prosecution sought the death penalty against Butler, but Butler was spared the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.