By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-06 01:36:01 | Updated at 2026-08-06 11:24:30
12 hours ago
The high-profile case against an Oklahoma teen accused of a violent string of rape and strangulation attacks that left one girl near death has officially been thrown out.
Jesse Mack Butler, 19, had his case dismissed by a judge during a final hearing on Monday, less than a year after he was convicted of raping two girls he had dated, both of whom were 16 at the time.
Court documents detailed the former high school baseball player's depraved abuse of the two victims. One, identified only as LS, told investigators Butler repeatedly raped or attempted to rape her.
LS said he physically assaulted her whenever she refused sex, including one attack in which he strangled her until she lost consciousness, leaving her so seriously injured that she later underwent painful neck surgery, according to a police affidavit.
Her mother shared photos with the Daily Mail last year showing her daughter's neck injury immediately after surgery, which left the teenager with a two-inch scar.
Because Butler was 17 at the time of the crimes, his attorney secured youthful offender status, sparing him from serving even a single day in prison despite facing up to 78 years behind bars.
His slap-on-the-wrist punishment included a rehabilitation program with weekly counseling, a curfew, daily check-ins, a social media ban and 150 hours of community service.
On Monday, Payne County District Judge Michael Kulling officially ruled to dismiss the infamous case, bringing the legal battle to an end just one day before Butler’s 19th birthday.
Jesse Mack Butler, 19, of Oklahoma, who was accused of a string of rape and strangulation attacks, had his high-profile case dismissed by a judge during a final hearing on Monday
It comes less than a year after Butler was convicted of raping two girls he had dated, both of whom were 16. One, identified as LS, said he assaulted her whenever she refused sex
LS said Butler nearly killed her during one attack when he strangled her. She later required neck surgery, which left the teenager with a two-inch scar
'They’re devastated, obviously, but it’s also the outcome they knew was going to happen just based on everything that has happened,' said Rachel Bussett, the attorney for one of the victims' families, according to KOCO News.
During the final review hearing for Butler’s rehabilitation program, emotions ran high as the judge said he had no choice but to dismiss the state’s criminal case that sparked protests and fierce backlash nationwide.
Under Oklahoma law, Butler’s supervision ends when he turns 19, and because the Office of Juvenile Affairs determined he had completed every requirement, the court had no authority to extend it.
'It doesn’t matter what our personal opinions are or which side we’re on. The court had no choice because there was no evidence of a violation,' Bussett told News 9.
'Judges aren’t supposed to make the law. They’re supposed to interpret the law,' she added, according to KOKO. 'It’s the legislature’s job to make the law. If you don’t like it, vote for new legislators.'
Meanwhile, Derek Chance, Butler’s attorney, called it a 'big day' for his client and encouraged him not to look back during a speech delivered in front of one of the victims and her family.
He also revealed plans to seek a full expungement of Butler’s record, while admitting the move would likely spark further controversy, according to The Oklahoman.
'This was just a really, really difficult case,' Chance told the outlet.
Because Butler was 17 at the time of the crimes, his attorney secured youthful offender status, sparing him from serving even a single day in prison
Butler's punishment included a rehabilitation program with weekly counseling, a curfew, daily check-ins, a social media ban and 150 hours of community service
On Monday, Payne County District Judge Michael Kulling said he had 'no choice' but to dismiss the case, which unfolded one day before Butler's 19th birthday
'At Monday's hearing, we maintained our innocence and explained that we entered a plea to essentially engage in risk management in the case,' he added. 'But again, that was not well received by the district attorney.'
Newly sworn-in Payne County District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory tore into Chance’s speech after the proceeding, calling it a 'disingenuous sack of garbage' packed with 'egregious' and 'inappropriate' assertions.
'The defense portrayed that somehow the perpetrator suffered more than these victims,' Gregory wrote in a statement.
'What was said was insincere, untruthful, and an affront to these victims and what they have endured,' he added. 'Nothing has made my blood boil more.'
Bussett, who shared her frustration over the outcome, accused Chance of retraumatizing the victims by speaking on Butler’s behalf during the court proceeding, according to The Oklahoman.
'He was basically saying that Butler was the victim and that he was innocent and that there was video evidence that demonstrated this - and that’s just not the truth,' the family attorney told the outlet.
'There was a video that was obtained in the course of this that shows Butler strangling one of the girls, and his attorney claims that the video shows that this was consensual,' she added.
'But the fact of the matter is that you cannot consent to strangulation.'
Derek Chance, Butler’s attorney, said he plans to seek a full expungement of Butler’s record
Chance called it a 'big day' for Butler and encouraged him not to look back during a speech
Newly sworn-in Payne County District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory tore into Chance’s reaction to the outcome, calling it a 'disingenuous sack of garbage' packed with 'egregious' and 'inappropriate' assertions
Bussett said that the next step for the victims’ families will be pursuing civil litigation against Stillwater High School, the Butler family and the City of Stillwater unless other legal resolutions are reached.
'They appreciate the public support that they have received, and we are hopeful moving forward about the new district attorney’s administration that has come in and taken over, that victims will be treated better in the future,' she told the outlet.
In his statement, DA Gregory said the 'double jeopardy' clause of the United States Constitution 'unambiguously prohibits' the state from prosecuting a defendant a second time for the same offense.
However, he said that because federal authorities operate separately from the state, his office would refer Butler’s case to the appropriate federal agency for review and potential prosecution.
'I cannot undo what has already been done, but I can - and will - continue to stand as a strong voice for all victims of violent crime,' he wrote.
Whether federal prosecutors choose to review or pursue the case will ultimately be up to federal authorities.
Oklahoma defense attorney and former prosecutor Ed Blau told News 9 that a referral to federal prosecutors does not guarantee charges will be filed.
He said federal officials are typically reluctant to take over cases that have already been resolved in state court, and generally only pursue them when there is a significant federal interest.
One of Butler's victims, identified only as LS, told investigators that he repeatedly raped or attempted to rape her
Butler, who comes from an influential sports family in Stillwater, initially pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges
The charges included rape by instrumentation, attempted rape, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, sexual battery and forcible oral sodomy
Blau also explained that youthful offender status places a defendant between the juvenile and adult justice systems. If the requirements of a court-ordered treatment plan are successfully completed, the case can ultimately be dismissed.
'Legally it’s over,' Blau told the outlet. 'The case will be sealed and expunged and determined that it really never had occurred for legal purposes.'
Butler, who comes from an influential sports family in Stillwater, initially pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.
The charges included rape by instrumentation, attempted rape, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, sexual battery and forcible oral sodomy.
He was initially sentenced to seven 10-year terms, two three-year terms and two one-year terms, all running concurrently for a total of 10 years behind bars. But after his attorney sought youthful offender status, Butler changed his plea to 'no contest.'
At a probation review hearing in December 2025, Payne County District Judge Michael Kulling found Butler had complied with the terms of his plea agreement and allowed him to remain on probation.
Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside the courthouse holding signs that read: 'Hold Jesse Responsible,' and 'Dirty Judge Define Justice!'
Disturbing court documents obtained by the Daily Mail were highlighted during the hearing, including allegations from Butler’s victim, LS, who said he threatened to kill her, her family, himself or even his own family if she reported him.
Protestors gathered outside the courthouse last year holding signs that read: 'Hold Jesse Responsible,' and 'Dirty Judge Define Justice!'
Another victim said Butler strangled her and recorded the assault in a sickening video police found on his cellphone
Rachel Bussett, the attorney for one of the victims' families, said the next move is to
Butler’s other victim, identified as KS in court papers, said he was threatening and physically abusive toward her, causing her to comply with unwanted sex out of fear she would be harmed.
According to a police affidavit, KS said Butler strangled her until she lost consciousness after she rejected him for sex - similar to the allegations made by LS.
The affidavit also stated that Butler later strangled her again and recorded the assault in a sickening video that police found on his cellphone.
