Donzell Butler | Homicide Watch DC

Donzell Butler Sentenced in Stabbing Death of Charles Scott Jr: "From now on, I will do whatever it is I can do to make up for my actions."

Megan Arellano — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 17:22:30 -0400

Judge John Ramsey Johnson ruled Friday that Donzell Butler will serve more than 13 years in prison for the July 2012 stabbing death of Charles Anthony Scott Jr.

Butler pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with significant bodily injury in January. Judge Johnson ruled Friday that the sentences for each will run consecutively, meaning that Butler will serve 160 months in prison.

Police found Scott and another man suffering from stab wounds on July 7, 2012, at approximately 9:50 p.m. in the 5300 block of Ames Street Northeast. Plea documents state Scott died from stab wounds to the neck and one in his shoulder.

Three days later, Butler, now 23, was arrested and held on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in Scott's death.

According to plea documents, Scott and others were leaving a carry-out restaurant on East Capitol Street on July 7, 2012, when his group passed and almost ran into Butler on the sidewalk. Butler then followed Scott onto Ames Street Northeast, according to witnesses.

A man in Scott’s group, Kevin Reeves, stopped and asked Butler, “Are y’all good?” Butler responded, “Yeah, your man good?”

The exchange lead to a physical confrontation in which Butler stabbed Scott and Reeves multiple times, according to a factual proffer in the plea agreement.

On Friday, Althea Scott told the court that her son was preparing for his sophomore year in college, working two jobs, and preparing for marriage "with a young woman he had known since seventh grade."

Her son's death has left a void for the whole family, but worst of all, "I'll never be able to feel my son's hugs."

Scott's father, Charles Scott Sr. also addressed the court, explaining the difficulties he faces two years after his son's death.

"Every day, I learned he meant more and more to me. He was my first-born son and God allowed me to see him," Scott said.

At sentencing Friday, Butler’s defense attorney, Michael Carter, said that Butler took responsibility for his actions and has "a lack of a criminal history." Prosecutors in the case said Friday that no one else was armed in the fight and that Butler was responsible for the escalation.

Before sentencing, Butler apologized to his family and Scott's family and asked for forgiveness.

"From now on, I will do whatever it is I can do to make up for my actions," he said.

Donzell Butler pleads guilty in stabbing death of Charles Scott Jr.

Dana Jennings — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 14:59:19 -0500

Donzell Butler pleaded guilty to unarmed voluntary manslaughter and assault with significant bodily injury Friday in the stabbing death of Charles Anthony Scott Jr.

He faces up to 30 years in prison.

Scott and others were leaving a carry-out restaurant on East Capitol Street on July 7, 2012, plea documents say, when his group passed and almost ran into Butler on the sidewalk. Butler then followed Scott onto Ames Street Northeast, according to witnesses.

A man in Scott's group, Kevin Reeves, stopped and spoke to Butler, saying "Are y'all good?" Butler responded, "Yeah, your man good?"

The discussion sparked an altercation in which Butler stabbed Scott and Reeves multiple times, according to a factual proffer in the plea agreement.

Scott later died from multiple stab wounds at the hospital. Reeves recovered and was released from the hospital shortly after.

Butler was originally charged with second-degree murder, and Scott's mother questioned the decision to charge him with unarmed voluntary manslaughter.

"There is certainly a factual basis behind this guilty plea," said Judge Ramsey Johnson. The sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2014.

The full plea agreement is embedded below:

Butler, Donzell Plea Documents January 2014 (PDF)Butler, Donzell Plea Documents January 2014 (Text)

Donzell Butler Pleads Innocent to Stabbing Death of Charles Anthony Scott Jr.

Penny Ray — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:44:03 -0400

A grand jury indicted Donzell Butler last week on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the July 2012 stabbing death of 20-year-old Charles Anthony Scott Jr.

Butler, 21, was also indicted on several related weapons offenses; he pled innocent Friday to all charges.

According to arrest documents in the case, witnesses told police that Scott and four others were leaving a carry-out restaurant on East Capitol Street when Scott and Butler almost collided while walking the same path in opposite directions.

The documents say that Scott and Butler briefly exchanged words, then Scott and his group continued walking.

As the group walked north on 53rd Street Northeast, they noticed that Butler was following them. As the group headed east on Ames Street Northeast, Butler's pursuit continued. One of the men with Scott turned and said something to Butler, and a fight broke out, according to the documents.

Police found Scott's body lying in the middle of the road near the intersection of 53rd and Ames Street. He died later at the hospital from multiple stab wounds.

One witness reported seeing Butler with a silver knife clipped to his pants shortly before the physical altercation began.

A status hearing is scheduled for April 12.

The indictment is below.

Donzell Butler Indictment (PDF)Donzell Butler Indictment (Text)

Probable Cause Found in Charles Scott Murder

Rebecca Zisser — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:47:01 -0400

Donzell Butler was ordered held Thursday at his preliminary hearing after Judge William Jackson found probable cause that he committed second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Charles Scott.

Members of MPD found Scott and another man injured in the middle of 53rd and Ames streets Northeast on July 7. Both men had multiple stab wounds. Both victims were taken to the hospital; Scott died later that night.

According to charging documents in the case, a witness told police that Scott had walked to a carry out restaurant on East Capitol Street with four other people, including the witness, the night of the murder. As they were leaving, the witness said, they walked past Butler was was entering the carryout.

The witness told police that Butler left the carryout and followed Scott and his crowd.

When the group reached Ames Street Butler and the crowd exchanged some words, charging documents state.

At the preliminary hearing Thursday, Detective King Watts said one witnesses told detectives that it looked like Butler was surrounded by three people. The witness came to Butler's aid, Watts said.

"I had to go help my Muslim brother," Watts said the witness said, adding that the two attended mosque together.

Watts said that after the fight Butler got into a car with his girlfriend and told her that he had cut himself.

Jackson said that based on that statement Butler had a knife, contributing to the probable cause finding.

Butler is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 7.

Donzell Butler Held in Stabbing Death of Charles Anthony Scott

Rebecca Zisser — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:09:12 -0400

Donzell Butler was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on a charge of second-degree murder while armed. Prosecutors say he stabbed Charles Anthony Scott on Saturday, killing him.

Butler was arrested on Wednesday after two witnesses identified him in photographs.

Members of MPD found Scott and another man injured Saturday. They were lying in the middle of the road at 53rd and Ames Street, Northeast, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Both victims were taken to the hospital; Scott died later that night.

The witness told police that Butler followed Scott and his crowd out of the carryout.

Another witness told detectives that after leaving the carryout, Butler pulled something out of his pocket, assaulted Scott, and fled the scene, charging documents state.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case for July 19.

Donzell Butler Arrested in Ames St. NE Fatal Double Stabbing

Laura Amico — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:33:23 -0400

A 21-year-old Northeast DC man has been arrested in connection with a double stabbing on Ames Street Northeast that killed Charles Anthony Scott Jr. on Saturday.

Donzell Butler is suspected of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the case, MPD said.

A press release from MPD is below.

July 11, 2012

Homicide Arrest: 5300 Block of Ames Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing which occurred in the 5300 block of Ames Street, NE.

On Saturday, July 7, 2012, at approximately 9:50 pm, units from the Sixth District responded to the 5300 block of Ames Street, NE, Washington, DC for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they located two adult males suffering from stab wounds. Both victims were transported to a local hospital where one victim was admitted for treatment. The other victim succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 20 year-old Charles Anthony Scott Jr. of Northeast, Washington, DC.

On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 21 year-old Donzell Butler of Northeast was arrested by members of the Homicide Branch and charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed in the stabbing death of Charles Anthony Scott Jr.