The Jesse Butler case is far from over. The 18-year-old Stillwater, Oklahoma teen pled no contest to 11 felonies — including attempted rape, strangulation, and violating a protective order — and received no prison time under youthful offender status. But now attorney Rachel Bussett has filed a motion arguing the entire plea was legally void from the beginning.
According to court filings, the victims were never properly consulted. Critical orders were entered without required signatures. One victim was having surgery the day youthful offender status was granted — she had no idea it was happening. The DA allegedly met with a minor victim without her parent or attorney present, told her about the plea deal, and then instructed her not to tell her mother.
Bussett's argument is unprecedented in Oklahoma: if the procedural requirements weren't followed, the plea itself is void ab initio — void from the start. That means Butler's due process argument collapses, and the case could be reset for adult prosecution.
February 3rd, 2026 is the preliminary hearing to determine what this challenge looks like. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit has been filed against Stillwater Public Schools, Principal Walter Howell, school resource officer Paul Blankinship, and Butler's parents — including Mack Butler, the former Oklahoma State football operations director who was working as the school district's assistant athletic director during the alleged assaults.
Jesse Butler turns 19 in August. If he completes his rehabilitation plan, his record gets expunged. But if this motion succeeds, he could face real prison time.
#JesseButler #JesseMackButler #StillwaterOklahoma #MarsysLaw #TrueCrime #PayneCounty #VictimsRights #OklahomaState #YouthfulOffender #CourtroomDrama
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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.