Butler pleads not guilty to all charges
POLSON — Nathan Butler, the Arlee teen accused of allegedly stabbing three people on Nov. 12, appeared in District Court on Nov. 21 for arraignment. Butler pled not guilty to the offenses of deliberate homicide, attempted deliberate homicide, and assault with a weapon.
According to Butler’s statement to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Erwin Lobdell and Mike Sargent, he stated “my mom came into my room, and I stabbed her multiple times. My stepdad came out, and I did the same to him. He [the third victim] came out; I stabbed him once; and that was it.”
Court records state that Butler ambushed his mother as she opened his bedroom door. He stabbed her with a “green-handled knife” and when she cried for help, Butler stated that his stepdad came to the aid of his mother.
Butler informed law enforcement that he then went to the kitchen to retrieve another “kitchen” knife. According to court records, the defendant stated that he proceeded to stab his stepfather with the kitchen knife until the blade broke off. His stepfather called for help and a male family member came to his aid.
Court documents state that Butler pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed the third victim once then turned to stab his stepfather again, who then dove at Butler taking him to the floor. According to court records, Butler wriggled out from underneath his stepfather and ran out of the house.
Law enforcement received a call from the girlfriend of the third victim at 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 12, reporting that Butler had stabbed his mother and her boyfriend. Court records state that Butler was apprehended in Arlee and transported to Lake County Jail.
When emergency personnel responded, they found Butler’s stepfather unresponsive and pronounced him dead at the scene. According to court records, Butler’s mother was suffering from several stab wounds and taken to St. Patrick Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The third victim was also transported to St. Patrick’s where his injuries were treated and he was released.
Butler stated to police that he retrieved the green-handled knife from the kitchen a few hours prior to the stabbing and had been thinking about hurting his mom and dad. Butler stated that he had been waiting for his mother to enter his room with the intent to stab her, and at that time, he wanted “them dead.”
Officers located a green-handled knife in Butler’s bedroom in a “puddle of what appeared to be blood.” Officers also located a broken kitchen knife blade, and a pocket knife in the home.
Butler’s lawyer Ashley Morigeau has requested testimony be given showing mental disease or defect, that Butler did not have a particular state of mind that is an essential element of the offense charged.
Butler is currently being held on a $250,000 bond at the Missoula Detention Facility. He is facing life in prison and possible fines of up to $150,000. Omnibus hearing is set for Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 at 9 a.m. with a jury trial commencing Monday, April 15, 2013 at 9 a.m.