UPDATE: Oct. 28 4:59 p.m.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on charges of vehicular manslaughter, fleeing and eluding, and possession of cocaine against Tyrone D. Butler Thursday, Oct. 28.
Butler was found not guilty on a second-degree assault charge for endangering an officer.
Judge C. Clarke Raley revoked the defendant’s bond and ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Butler is being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, pending sentencing.
Assistant State’s Attorney Robyn Riddle told TheBAYNET.com, “We feel justice has been served, we appreciate the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence and their verdict and we are satisfied that the victim’s interests have been fairly protected.”
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TheBAYNET.com reported on a police chase which ended in a fiery crash and the death of Francis Xavier Chase Jr. on Jan. 29, 2010. The driver, Tyrone D. Butler, faces charges of negligent manslaughter, second-degree assault, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and two charges for fleeing from the law.
Butler took the stand on the third day of the trial Oct. 27. Now 40 years old and a father of five, Butler revisited the incident led by his attorney Ralph L. Warren Sr.
The jury has heard from Maryland State Police troopers and St. Mary’s County sheriffs involved, as well as an expert forensics chemist.
In his testimony, Butler referred to his deceased cousin as “my best friend” and explained his actions on Jan. 29, saying, “I didn’t intend to harm anyone.”
When officers initially stopped Butler for speeding, he gave false information. Anticipating arrest and a possible search, Butler fled the scene, resulting in a police chase up Rt. 235 and off into a rural residential area of Hollywood. He ran, he said, because he was on probation and his passenger, Chase, had informed him he was “dirty,” meaning he was in possession of an illegal item.
Butler told the court his intention was to pull over and surrender once they were able to “get rid of” the cocaine Chase possessed. He said that he lost control his Dodge Ram pick-up when Chase, who was “digging around” in the vehicle, hit the driver’s leg, then the steering wheel. “On gravel, it just cut loose,” he stated.
The defendant was asked to look at accident photos and became emotional. Assistant State’s Attorney Robyn Riddle cross-examined Butler, asking him about the day’s events, his decisions and prior drug-related convictions.
After a lunch recess, jurors heard closing arguments. Riddle told the jury Butler was driving without required prescription glasses and was driving at high speeds, preoccupied with drugs in the truck and police cruisers in pursuit. She charged that Butler showed no concern for his passenger’s life and was going, “way too fast. So fast he crashed into a couple of trees and killed
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