JACKSONVILLE – After less than an hour of deliberations Tuesday morning, a Duval County jury acquitted a 16-year-old of murder and robbery.
Brenton Butler was accused of shooting to death then robbing a Georgia tourist, Marianne Stephens, at a Southside Ramada Inn in May.
The verdict came after six days of testimony in a trial that raised allegations of physical abuse and threats by members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Butler, an Englewood High School ninth-grader at the time of arrest, testified that police detectives beat him in forcing a signed confession.
"I know I didn't do it," Butler told NewsChannel 4's Fred Halstied after the acquittal. "God kept me strong."
Prosecutors said they were relying on sworn testimony from detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and on what they said was a written confession from Butler.
"The jury did... what they felt was appropriate," prosecutor Laura Starrett said. "We knew it was a very difficult case. There wasn't any physical evidence. We're disappointed, but it's not unexpected."
Defense attorneys maintained that there was no evidence to convict Butler because no blood or gunpowder residue was found on his clothes or hands.
Brenton's mother, Melissa Butler, said as the family was leaving the courtroom: "I have my son, and we'll have a very happy Thanksgiving."
- November 16, 2000: Teenager Accused Of Killing Tourist Takes Witness Stand