JUSTICE FOR JESSICA - BUTTS FAMILY MURDERS - PART 2

Edited Sept. 06, 2010

I'm not here to write the story about the murder of three people, the Butts family. That's already been done, told by journalist Sonny Long, who followed the Butt's Family murders almost from the beginning. Without his commitment, the murders most likely would never have come to the level it is today, which is that the long-time suspect, Kevin Hailey, pleaded guilty to strangling Gerri Faye Butts, the single mother of two children. I understand Mr. Long is finishing up a book on the the Butt's family.

Sonny Long provided everything one could possibly want in sleuthing a crime, a heinous crime that took the innocent lives of three persons - Gerri Faye, Jessica and Mackenzie Butts.

*******

Sonny Long, put this WEBSITE together, and this  timeline of events, beginning with the following:

Place - Atlanta, Texas (approx 20 miles from Texarkana)Population - 6,400
Cass County

Police department - - 21 employees - - 16 police officers 

Gerri Faye Butts, 29, and her daughters, Jessica, 11, and MacKenzie, 3.

Gerri worked for minimum wage at Stanco, a safety glove manufacturer. She lived in a trailer with her 2 daughters. They had different fathers, neither father was in the picture.

Gerri Faye had been arrested for selling marijuana in 1985. 21 people were caught in that "bust" - - only 2 didn't do time - - one was Gerri Faye.

Is it possible she made a deal to stay out of jail? Did she have any enemies from that time? 

The Butts had received "scary" phone calls shortly before the murders. One said that they would all be dead in eight days. One of Jessica's friends at school was supposed to be in a skit the next week, but she hurt herself and on January 24th asked Jessica to take her place. Jessica said she better not agree to do that, she might be dead by then. This information came from a counselor at Jessica's school. 

Reading though Sonny Long's comprehensive reporting on the murders, one finds that the alleged suspect, Kevin Hailey, wasn't the only suspect. 

*******

"OTHER SUSPECTS"; credit: Sonny Long::

"Bret Lawless was thought to be a suspect from early on, but he had an alibi (Lanette Butts) and passed a lie detector test. More than one person interviewed said that there was a "dispute" between Lawless and Gerri Faye over some land he wanted the family to sell. Gerri Faye was reportedly the lone holdout.

Bret was named by Atlanta Police as a possible suspect in Hailey's probable cause hearing, and Kevin's mother called him the killer on the Ma ury Povich Show."

***

Still, Kevin Hailey remained what most considered the prime suspect. He lived in the same neighborhood and the family, and although he didn't drive, (had lost his license or some such thing), during his recent trial, and previous ones, the defense argued he was home, and couldn't have traveled to the Butt's family home. Obviously the prosecution argued he lived in the same neighborhood - he could have walked! 

But why would Kevin Hailey, former boyfriend and friend to the Butt's family, murder them all? And what happened during the ensuing investigation with so much evidence available?

*******

During the Winter of 2004, I was assisting Brianna Maitland's family in there effort to find her. As fate would have it they asked me to work with a criminal profiler out of Texas. I call him Sam as he wishes anonymity. While we spoke mostly about Brianna Maitland, I discovered "Sam" had been involved the the Butt's family murders. What follows are some excerpts from e-mails we exchanged. It provide a unique perspective on really happens during an investigation. 

Thu, Aug 27, 2009

SAM: I was involved in the very begining when the murders occuredm chief scott was over the investigation the first time we arrested hailey. Then the same ones who attacked me had chief scott ran off. That left no who was willing to push the case. I took it upon myself after 10 years to start pushing the case again. That's when they came after me.

Fri, Aug 28, 2009


SAM: I lived in Texarkana and I was a criminal investigator for the army at
the time. Worked part time (weekends) for the Atlanta Texas Police Dept.
Chief Scott was a retired Dallas Homicide Investigator and a good
friend. He wasn't run out of town but they pressured him so much he quit
the Chiefs job and got completely out of police work. He lived about 6
to 8 miles outside of Atlanta and still does. He had a series of strokes
and is partially paralyzed now.
All the other officers were afraid to do anything because they were
scared they would lose their job and they would have if they pushed the
case. I didn't make my living with the City of Atlanta and since I was
involved with the case from the beginning I decided to push it.
In 1992 I was in my early thirties gun hoe and full of piss and vinegar.
The day the Butts bodies were discovered was Monday morning around 0800.
I was in a dentist chair having a root canal when I heard about it. By
the time I made it down there they had removed the bodies. I did not see
the bodies but I possess a crime scene video tape if it still works?
I studied all the crime scene photos, autopsy reports, evidence and
helped in the investigation. I also helped develop some of the evidence.
Chief Scott told me everything and I had access to the complete case
file. I'll be really surprised if I'm not called to testify over some of
the evidence. I hope I can stay out of it but will see. BobKat when I was
30 years old nobody came on my turf (beat) and murdered children and got
away with it.
NOBODY !!!!!!

Sat, Aug 29, 2009

Motive butts? Kevin owed geri money and wouldn't pay her. She told some of her friends she was going to get in his face. I guess she did.

*******

I'll leave you with the following description of the scene where Jessica was found murdered in her bedroom; Warning, contains graphic descriptions of violence.

Jessica, from the following: "TIMELINE 1992", credit: Sonny Long

"11 year old Jessica was found on the bed. She was wearing a t-shirt, her panties had been removed and she had been sexually assaulted. Later it would come out that she was killed first - - the sexual assault came after her death - -she had been injured but had not bled. Apparently there was a tear in the vagina but the hymen itself was intact.


One source told me that three pubic hairs were found at that scene. Two on the sheets - and one was on her toe - - a bit of mud was on her toe (had the killer carried it in? Stepped on her toe, perhaps? Her feet were on the floor, her buttocks at the end of
the bed.) The pubic hairs were checked and it was reported that they belonged to Kevin Hailey. Again, could they have been there from weeks before? Another source said what was found on her toe was a HAIR MASS, like from the tub drain.


Enter the egg - - there was an egg casing on one of the hairs -- the egg of a crab. The egg was photographed and studied and the experts say it was in day 7 or 8 of a 10 day incubation period.


When Kevin Hailey was questioned 4 days after the murder - -he was suffering with a new outbreak of crabs.


There was no semen or DNA found on her body or the sheets."

***

"Justice for Jessica" is about evidence and facts. How can those be diminished? The evidence found on Jessica, even DNA available on the phone cord used to strangle her, is or should be more than enough to bring justice to Jessica's brutal murder. And the drowning of a baby.

You decide for yourself, if justice was served? Myself, I think not. 

I may be back with more. 

JUSTICE FOR JESSICA - BUTTS FAMILY MURDERS - Atlanta TX, January 27th, 1992; PART 1

Last edited, Aug. 31, 2010

Jessica Butts, age 12, raped and murdered. Atlanta TX, 1992.

Along with her mother, Gerri, 29, who was strangled, and baby Mackenzie, age 3, drowned in the bathtub.

Maybe you've read I was an advocate for Brianna Maitland, of VT, who disappeared March 19, 2004... but prior to that I learned of the Butts family, and their triple murder. Their case is what got me revved up to volunteer to help not only the Maitlands, but Maura Murray too, who disappeared Feb. 09, 2004, in Woodsville, NH, who also is still missing.

On the one hand, with the Butts family, there are the brutal, tragic multiple murders of 3 innocent people. On the other hand, the shocking disappearance of a person with the shadow of foul-play hanging for what seems like eternity over what happened and where are they.

The Butts family murders are tragic in another way too, in that the suspect, Kevin Hailey, has been the primary suspect all along... from the beginning, and the evidence in the case, more than an investigator could ever want. Yet, nearly 20 years after the fact, the case is, in my opinion, still  locked and located, not in a prison cell, but rather, a political  nightmare - the makings of a good mystery novel perhaps, except, when considering the victims, it's a sham!

I am not law enforcement... but I have connections. And quite by coincidence, in helping the Maitland family, I was asked to work with a criminal profiler from Texas who offered his assistance to the Maitlands. I call him Sam, at his request, but it turns out, ironically, he was a detective at the time of the Butts family murders, working with the Texarkana  PD, who initially investigated the murder of the Butts family.

Small world!

This link is to the original website setup by investigative reporter, Sonny Long, who can be credited for keeping the murders active: Butts Family, by Sonny Long, and his personal link here: Sonny Long

I recently wrote him, as I did years past, but haven't received a response yet.

According to this link, Kevin-is-pleading-guilty-to-murder; the prime suspect admitted to strangling the mother Gerri Butts... a "plea agreement" in which it appears he doesn't have to admit being involved in the deaths of Jessica or Mackenzie.

What kind of bull-crap is that!!!?

As you'll see... it all came down to the power of the district attorney, and a family connection he had to the suspect.

All of which my ace in the hole verified via e-mail to me.

Jessica told her classmates she was going to die, and she did. She was strangled with a telephone cord, and raped. There was at least one pubic hair found on her body, as well as a louse egg ( crabs, for the innocent). Kevin's palm print was found on the bathtub, where baby Mackenzie was drowned.

Think I'm mad... you're damn right!!!

Many years, it's my opinion, the District Attorney responsible for bring justice to this case, stuffed it in a box... called Don't open!, and being related to the suspect, it's not surprising. Here is the family photo:

More to come...

REEFER MADNESS - 2010 - Dangers of Marijuana - CONCLUSION

Last Edited 08/23/2010 10:26PM

I had called this an "interlude", with more to come, but then realized that other than the obvious dangers like driving under the influence, operating dangerous machinery, or the fact cannabis is not legally sold, and one must purchase it on the black market, that I am, actually, finished!

And I know, I'm repeating some of what I started back in my history of cannabis, but let's forget that for now since sometimes taking a fresh, new look at something it comes out better - or so I hope. These scans are from old sources I collected over the years that verify cannabis was used regularly and legally through to the 1920's, and was regarded as a commodity like tobacco. It was called ganja(h).

 We think of cannabis today as that noxious weed called "marijuana" - considered a "dangerous drug" that at all costs must be prohibited and illegal. I would like to point out, that is a relatively recent change in attitude that began in the 1930's. The original Marihuana Tax Act was actually struck down by the Supreme court as unconstitutional in 1970. Then, President Nixon's advisors recommended legalizing cannabis, but Nixon wanted no part of that, and it was reclassified as a schedule one narcotic, so that prohibition of the plant would remain illegal.

In 1976, President Carter, realizing it was a basic human right for an individual to consume what God provides us, legalized cannabis, along with home-brewed beer and wine. In what I consider to be a outrageous over-reaction to his action, allegedly by the DEA and Congress, Pres. Carter was over-ruled, and cannabis remained illegal, while home-brewed beer and wine were legalized.

As a side-note, when the 18th amendment was overturned, permitting home brewed beer or wine was not included, and remained illegal until 1976. Many today don't realize that it was Pres. Carter who finally allowed making your own, and spawned the current generations of micro-breweries.

There is every reason I can think of, why cannabis should not be illegal to use, possess and grow. There is every reason to strike down the use of the AKA "marijuana" to label it, as that is what it was called in Mexico, not in the US. It's a commodity missing in our economy, and it's "PORK" draining needed tax dollars and jobs from our economy, alienating people and putting countless millions of people who use it at risk.

Simple fact is - if it were legal and sold like alcohol and tobacco, we would be able to provide a far better response to the real problem of drug abuse in this country. Quite simply, cannabis is  not the problem, but rather, part of the solution.

The following are the references to past history when cannabis was not a problem and not called marijuana:

NOTE: Cannabis was referred to as Ganjah, not "marijuana"... which you can see (two images hence) isn't listed in the dictionaries of the time:

What? No "marijuana"???

That was 1888. By 1921 things hadn't changed much even though two very important federal laws were in effect controlling narcotics, and alcohol prohibition was in effect.

Now spelled "ganja"... and still "smoked like tobacco":

Still, no reference to a drug called "marijuana": How mysterious is that???

*******

The laws prohibiting cannabis are still unconstitutional in my opinion. Very little valid scientific evidence is available to maintain it's current status... and the public harm as a result of the questionable rationale behind those laws are an affront to the very foundation that made this country great, and a true democracy.

I hereby request the federal and state governments to provide sound facts and evidence validating the laws and prohibition against cannabis. I invoke my constitutional right to a "redress" of this policy, in that it is my belief laws against cannabis are based on anecdotal evidence, is still unconstitutional, and creates the very violence we are fighting to end.

It further constitutes a "hate crime", in that it's conception and current focus is still on the people of Mexico. They are still often "blamed" for the "drug problems" in the US, and I feel this trend, begun in the 1930's, constitutes a violation of civil rights, and violates "hate crime" laws. 

I seek evidence from the judiciary branches of government to show cannabis does indeed qualify for Schedule One classification. And I would like to know why tobacco doesn't???

I further contend that those US citizens who prefer cannabis, are being subjected to torture and harassment by current laws and policies, are subject to widespread discrimination and alienation, as well as Cruel and Unusual Punishment. 

If person's concerned with solving the "drug problem" in this country are serious, then, recognition that cannabis is not the dangerous drug they claim it to be, must be addressed! 

One final question: Why, in 1937 if cannabis was truly the subject of being a dangerous drug, as movies at the time made it out to be, why wasn't the new law called the "Ganja Tax Act", considering that's what Americans called it? Maybe we could do the same with "tobacco" and rename it something like dungweed, and pass a Dungweed Tax Act. What an idea! But we'd need an enemy, a specter, to be the villain...  just imagining it now - prohibition of dungweed... a star on You-Tube, a Hollywood movie... 

Dungweed Death - The Perils of Dungweed.

Fact is I could write a great deal about the dangers of tobacco... which I find ironic - in that there really is no question in my mind how dangerous tobacco is. How deadly. But in 35 years researching ganja, and I really cannot say it's dangerous. I'm truly convinced it's safer than alcohol and tobacco, even beneficial.

I would not support prohibition of tobacco, as dangerous as it is. Those who wish to use it should be permitted. But I would certainly put much stronger regulations on it's sale, considering the cost to society. Just today I drove by a couple that looked 12, walking along the highway lighting up a cigarette. It's against the law - but I doubt they would be arrested, put in jail, and sentenced to juvenile lock-up for a year? And that's my whole point... when and how did ganja become the demon it is known as today?

The answer: We're still fighting the war today... it's called "Illegal Immigration". Mexican's called cannabis "marijuana". But you already know that from reading my posts, and watching the History Channel's, "Hooked on Drugs..." found in my recommending media list. Americans are caught in the cross-fire... innocent victims to a ploy to prevent illegal immigration by draconian laws against growing, possession and use of cannabis. 

I rest my case... Americans did not call cannabis marijuana. There was and is no no real danger except in the minds of the politicians who perpetuate an idea, long past failure. 

Today, we build hundreds of miles of cement walls, and post thousands of law enforcement agents on the border with Mexico. Thousands in Mexico have lost their lives because we have not solved the immigration issues in almost 100 years between us and Mexico.

*******

Time to Grow Up... and Get Real!

***

And I almost forgot... And this is very important for those of you who use "marijuana", or I mean ganja/cannabis. Don't expect an organ transplant if you need one... period! You're not worthy!

The following links are to the real stories of people denied a transplant because they used cannabis. 

DENIED 1

DENIED 2

DENIED 3

Please... Stop the Hurt and Condemnation!!! 

REEFER MADNESS - 2010 - Dangers of Marijuana - PART FOUR

last edited 08-29-2010

Life just doesn't seem easy... in fact, I was raised to know it isn't. It's why my own mother tried so hard (in vain) to influence (and save) me, by her aggressive efforts to influence me to take her road in life, and in doing so, strongly discouraged my own road in life. "Her Road" was in fact, as she knows it, the ONLY road in life - what she calls "the short road".

One might say, if I'd surrendered to her efforts, I'd be better off today. But I chose to rebel. Not uncommon - in fact, it's a part of growing up to be an adult - to rebel against one's parents. It was my misfortune that my mother is simply quite overbearing, without understanding of personal bounds or personal freedom. The consequence, as a result of a final battle between her and I when I was 24, I have PTSD. It's a long story.... one for another time perhaps.

My question is:  how can another person, no matter how closely related, dictate how another person lives their life? I see a lot of that type of influencing going on - which I call bullying. You may recall the story I told about the girlfriend I had during the 70's - her mother would call around 2AM, wake her up, to call her a slut and insist she had a man in her bed - which she did, that being me. So I know it's not just me, with the issues.

I took the "Road Less Traveled", based on the book by Jack Kerouac, but not solely based on the book... the whole culture was dominate during the 70's among 20-somethings... much came together in my early 20's, a renaissance of discoveries, a rebirth, a chance in life. I thrived in the 70's... and everything looked like it would happen... except, I underestimated the tenacity my mother would exert to keep me on her "short road" - job, wife, children and house. None of which I was opposed to - I simply wanted to do it my way.

I can only attribute my failures to inexperience. How was I suppose to know that I had a Constitutional Right to pursue my own road in life? It's not like they exactly covered that topic in HS. In hindsight... I should have cut off communication with what i considered a hostile antagonist in my 20's, but I didn't. I had the right to do so, I just didn't fully understand my rights. There's also the fact that I attribute much of my "awakening" to my use of cannabis. I've written about that previously, plenty of times.

But what if... the marijuana I attribute to being a great miracle in my life, instead produced a mental condition... like schizophrenia? Would that explain why my parents thought I had deviated from the "main road" in life... why I got a job as a custodial at a local community college? A disgrace of the worst kind to my mother. Was I insane???

SCHIZOPHRENIA, and Cannabis: 

In many online discussions regarding legalizing cannabis, the topic of how it "causes or enables schizophrenia" is a common concern. My opinion is that there is a lack of understanding with regards to the illness, and the potential role of cannabis.

First, the following link provides an understanding of schizophrenia: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH:

"What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects about 1.1 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don’t hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others."


I’ve already discussed in an earlier post, the "paranoia" a user of cannabis may experience. And that it's my opinion that the fear is real, and not a delusion. The question is, of the 1.1% of the US population, how many cases can be a direct result of the use of cannabis? Truth is, no one knows. What we do know however is that people have been using cannabis for thousands of years… and there is no factual data showing a link between it’s use and madness.

The commonly discussed attribute of cannabis used to discuss mental illness, is the THC (Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol). That's the "active psychotropic" chemical in cannabis that produces the high. It is the chemical that makes cannabis a Schedule One Narcotic, and users of cannabis subject to arrest. It is the chemical that is the source of concern that cannabis may cause, or bring out the condition known as schizophrenia. 

Although this is a major concern, this is not why cannabis is illegal in this country. It's illegal based on a series of events beginning in the early 1930's that escalated out of control. But to reign in on the misconceptions about cannabis, one needs to look closely at the mental health concerns in present day terms.

Considering all the millions of persons who have either used or are using cannabis, the percentage of disorders currently documented fail to correspond to use of cannabis. It is known that pure THC is very depressing to use. It's not enjoyable. The only reason THC works to provide a source of worth to the user is a non-psychotropic component called cannabidiol. This component of cannabis appears to be the key... to why cannabis is not only safe, but beneficial. The following into to a link from Wikipedia: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in Cannabis. It is a major constituent of the plant, representing up to 40% in its extracts.[2] CBD alone is not intoxicating but displayed sedative effects in animal tests.[3] Some research, however, indicates that CBD can increase alertness.[4] It may decrease the rate of THC clearance from the body, perhaps by interfering with the metabolism of THC in the liver. Medically, it has been shown to relieve convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea, and to inhibit cancer cell growth.[5] Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.[6]


It's the balance of the primary components - THC and Cannabidiol that makes cannabis the perfect commodity, and recreational drug, as we like to describe such things. Essentially, it is a plant with desirable characteristics. At present, outlawed and causing extreme violence in Mexico, and political suffocation in American politics. The victims - "We The People..."


The plant, cannabis, is a miracle in my opinion... very safe to use, beneficial in many ways, an art to grow, and a major commodity that is needed for our society to prosper. Providing alcohol and tobacco as the only recreational drugs is stupidity. Not only are they both difficult to control, but tobacco alone is simply a highly addictive poison. Society needs a safer alternative - one that is not simply intoxicating or feeds an addiction. Cannabis has shown anti-cancer potential, helps with pain in a much safer way that opiates, and users of recreational cannabis tend to be far less prone to violent behavior than their sober or alcohol infused counterparts.

The argument that legalizing cannabis will result in an increase in schizophrenia, is simply unproven, and unlikely in my opinion. This is not to say there aren't people who may experience psychological problems when using cannabis. I'm simply saying if cannabis use caused schizophrenia, the percentage of individuals suffering from the various forms of the illness would be substantially higher.

As they say on the popular Myth Buster's TV show, the "myth is busted", in my opinion. The danger still remains, however, in that the potency of THC, and the balancing effects of cannabidiol, the cannabis that's distributed illegally is more dangerous to society than if it were legal. From years of experience I can tell you stoners, those who use cannabis, are by far more comfortable to be around than a keg party. Hey, not knocking you if you prefer the keg party, just saying...

The solution is to legalize and provide controlled sources of the plant, much like we do with alcohol products. Permitting individuals to grow their own with clearly specified strains of the plant. Legalization would also help reduce the stigma associated with use, and make it far less likely that those with psychological issues would avoid seeking professional help. Cannabis users aren't made "stupid", and to assume an individual can't make a decision when selecting the variety of plant they prefer, is unrealistic.

The current problem with cannabis is that it's illegal, fueling violence in the area of growth and distribution, and creating a sub-culture that has no choice but to take what they can find, and shut-up about it. The majority of cannabis users I've known over the years would never tell their doctor they use cannabis. And this same sub-culture has no idea usually where their cannabis came from, or what the THC level is. It's a commodity, one that would benefit our society, give us a break from the hard stuff, a choice.

To Be Continued...