Hailey indicted with two counts of capital murder

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Hailey indicted with two counts of capital murder

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

UPDATED AT 3:30pm: CASS COUNTY, TX - AUGUST 9, 2007
Indictment handed down in 15 year old murder case

Aug 9, 2007 06:18 PM CDT

Cass County, TX, prosecutors Thursday announced an indictment in a 15-year-old murder case.
KSLA News12 has learned Michael Kevin Hailey has been indicted on 1 county of capital murder.
That is according to Cass County district attorney Clint Allen. Hailey was arrested 15 years ago after the murders in 1992, but a grand jury failed to indict him then based on a lack of evidence.
Hailey is currently serving 87 years in Caddo Parish for attempted murder following a bar fight in the northern Caddo Parish community of Rodessa.
KSLA News12 has been told DNA evidence helped build the most recent case against Haley leading prosecutors to seek this indictment.
On January 27, 1992, police found the body of Gerry Butts strangled to death in her Atlanta, TX, home.
Police say with Gerry they found her 11-year-old daughter, Jessica, strangled and raped.
Police tell KSLA News12 they also found her 3-year-old daughter, McKenzie, drowned in the bathtub.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=6910336&nav=menu50_2

annarocket · Guru

Wow,this is amazing news. I'm unsure why he wasn't charged with the deaths of Macky D and Jessica, but speaking for myself and Jill,we're thrilled this is happening. evileye

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Anna he is being charged with the death of all three of them. In 1992 there wasn't a capital charge, the law changed in 1993. So he is indicted on capital murder with multiple victims.. seeking death by lethal injection. So they are charging him in all three deaths.. Thank you and jilly .
Sweetie Pie

annarocket · Guru

I'm sure that even though this must be a time of great relief for you,it is also a time of sadness as well.Nothing will bring them back.

Maybe we can discuss seeing some coverage of Kevin's inditement here on the board. After everything else,I owe Gerri that at least. evileye

Enigma · Senior Member

Thank goodness murder has no statute of limitations.

annarocket · Guru

My boyfriend and I have talked about this so much that he knows the whole story and honestly,we're still sort of in shock. evileye

Enigma · Senior Member

Ya gotta love those Cold Case Cops.....without them so many unjustices would go by the wayside. When there is a murder there is a killer......don't let them get away with it just cuz the victims happen to be on the lower end of the economic scale. Let's face it, most of them work the hardest trying to live a good honest life in this world of rich/poor with little concern for the middle-struggling.
NOW GO GET EM GUYS!!!!!!!!

annarocket · Guru

Suspect indicted in 1992 East Texas triple slaying

LINDEN, Texas A convicted criminal who was arrested 15 years ago but not indicted for the 1992 slaying of a woman and her two daughters has now been indicted in the case, authorities said.

A Cass County grand jury indicted Michael Kevin Hailey on Thursday on one count of capital murder for the deaths of Gerri-Faye Butts and her daughters Jessica Butts, 11, and Mackenzie Sullivan Butts, 3.

District Attorney Clint Allen said the state will seek the death penalty. He said he pursued only one count of capital murder because of 1992 laws, which allow the state to seek the death penalty when there are multiple deaths in one crime.

"The indictment is based on a review of the evidence with technology that was not available in 1992," Allen said. He declined to elaborate further on the investigation.

Hailey, who was 24 when the slayings occurred, is currently serving an 87-year prison term in the Louisiana State Penitentiary on an attempted murder conviction from 2004.

Contacted by telephone late Thursday, a prison employee confirmed Hailey was being held in the Angola, La., facility but wouldn't make him available for comment.

The victims' bodies were found in their mobile home in Atlanta, about 150 miles east of Dallas, on Jan. 27, 1992.

According to police records, Gerri-Faye Butts was found strangled on the living room couch. The body of Jessica Butts was found on her bed, a telephone cord wrapped around her neck. She had been sexually assaulted. Mackenzie Butts was found face-down in the bathtub. She drowned in less than 3 inches of water.

Atlanta police arrested Hailey for the crime two months later, but a grand jury declined to indict him.

In December 1992, the saga played out on national television when members of the Hailey and Butts families appeared on "The Maury Povich Show."

Allen said he will seek Hailey's extradition to Texas, which he said could take up to three months. He said he expects a change of venue for the trial because of the case's high profile.

The victims' family members said they were grateful for the indictment.

"Thank God for Clint Allen," said Lannette Butts Wallace, mother and grandmother of the victims. "He's accomplished in 15 months what the others couldn't do in 15 years."

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Information from: Texarkana Gazette, http://www.texarkanagazette.com

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Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Well It came on the news that the judge is working on the extradition papers.
It will still be awhile but we are on the right road now..
Sweetie Pie

Enigma · Senior Member

Keep the faith Itsy...My best friend is sitting on death row and I have never lost faith that she will be released in time. I miss her so much that at times I just cry uncontrollably. This case will end in justice being served....just keep the faith my friend, as I do. Have you read the story of Kerry Max Cook? I have spoken with him and if he can come to terms with this insane system then who am I to ??? it. I truly believe that things will work out.....I have followed this case for you because I had never heard of it before you brought it to my attention, and I thank you for that.....

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

I have never given up hope or faith.... That wasn't an option, I just couldn't . I got a feeling I can't explain to you when this happened. Yes we will have to basically relive that day , but it's not like that morning has left some of us ... Thanks for all the interest and support, prayers anything you have givin for Gerri Faye , Jessica and Mackenzie... keep the prayers coming...
Sorry about your friend. No I haven't heard of Kerry Max Cook. Enlighten me if you like. Prayers go out for your friend.
Sweetie Pie aka itsy

annarocket · Guru

Prayers for both of you. We'll be here for you while the system works for Gerri Faye and the girls,Itsy. evileye

Enigma · Senior Member

Sweetie Pie wrote:

I have never given up hope or faith.... That wasn't an option, I just couldn't . I got a feeling I can't explain to you when this happened. Yes we will have to basically relive that day , but it's not like that morning has left some of us ... Thanks for all the interest and support, prayers anything you have givin for Gerri Faye , Jessica and Mackenzie... keep the prayers coming...
Sorry about your friend. No I haven't heard of Kerry Max Cook. Enlighten me if you like. Prayers go out for your friend.
Sweetie Pie aka itsy

Kerry Cook was on the Row for 22 years before being exonerated. He wrote a book "Chasing Justice" if you want the incredible story. How he has endured is more than I can ever imagine.
As for my friend....we just keep praying that someday she too will be exonerated by DNA as Kerry was. He has gone to visit her and keeps in touch with her whenever he can. He is truly an inspiration.

littlepooh · Pre-Newbie

I feel that its about time for the Butts Family to have some kinda peace in all this hurtful mess he has caused this family. I pray that Kevin recives just what is coming to him. I cant inagine walking around knowing i had killed 3 people. Kevin has no heart and may God have mercey on his soul. My best freind i will not name used to be his girlfriend. He would always tell her that if she was to ever leave him and tell what he has ever told her that he would come back and kill her and her family.He is one sick person that needs to be off the strees and not breathing in my heart. She has even gone as far as telling me that he got her into doing hard drugs and things she wouldn't have done if she was not with him. Well, i fell that he is were he needs to be and he is going to get what he should have gotten 15 years ago Death. Im sorry if i sound so harsh but, to listen to my bestfriend tell me all this stuff on the phone and cry about it because, she was so scared to tell anyone what he has told her. Please forgive me but this is how i feel in my heart. God Bless You All!!!!!

annarocket · Guru

Hi littlepooh,I'm annarocket and I'm the co-owner of this website and one of the mods here.Welcome to our forum.

I think everyone here agrees with you about Kevin.Your friend is lucky she didn't meet the same fate as Gerrie and the girls.He is obviously someone with a lot of problems and capable of murder. evileye

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

littlepooh wrote:

I feel that its about time for the Butts Family to have some kinda peace in all this hurtful mess he has caused this family. I pray that Kevin recives just what is coming to him. I cant inagine walking around knowing i had killed 3 people. Kevin has no heart and may God have mercey on his soul. My best freind i will not name used to be his girlfriend. He would always tell her that if she was to ever leave him and tell what he has ever told her that he would come back and kill her and her family.He is one sick person that needs to be off the strees and not breathing in my heart. She has even gone as far as telling me that he got her into doing hard drugs and things she wouldn't have done if she was not with him. Well, i fell that he is were he needs to be and he is going to get what he should have gotten 15 years ago Death. Im sorry if i sound so harsh but, to listen to my bestfriend tell me all this stuff on the phone and cry about it because, she was so scared to tell anyone what he has told her. Please forgive me but this is how i feel in my heart. God Bless You All!!!!!

littlepooh.
I have heard the same story twice since the murders of Gerri and the girls. Hope he isn't waiting on tears from me...... Hate to sound cruel , but same story different girls. furious

May he get what he finally deserves and it will all be God's will!!!
Bless you littlepooh!
Sweetie Pie/itsy

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

littlepooh wrote:

I feel that its about time for the Butts Family to have some kinda peace in all this hurtful mess he has caused this family. I pray that Kevin recives just what is coming to him. I cant inagine walking around knowing i had killed 3 people. Kevin has no heart and may God have mercey on his soul. My best freind i will not name used to be his girlfriend. He would always tell her that if she was to ever leave him and tell what he has ever told her that he would come back and kill her and her family.He is one sick person that needs to be off the strees and not breathing in my heart. She has even gone as far as telling me that he got her into doing hard drugs and things she wouldn't have done if she was not with him. Well, i fell that he is were he needs to be and he is going to get what he should have gotten 15 years ago Death. Im sorry if i sound so harsh but, to listen to my bestfriend tell me all this stuff on the phone and cry about it because, she was so scared to tell anyone what he has told her. Please forgive me but this is how i feel in my heart. God Bless You All!!!!!

Little Pooh was the family your talking about Children that Kevin would threaten to kill?
Sweetie Pie/ itsy

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Citizens Journal September 2, 2007

Citizens Journal

Hailey retains Collins Law Firm as defense counsel
Friday, 31 August 2007
Michael Kevin Hailey has retained Collins Law Firm as his counsel for his defense. Hailey will stand trial for the triple homicide of Gerri Faye Butts and her two daughters, Jessica and Mackenzie, who were found slain in their Atlanta home on Jan. 27, 1992.

District Attorney Clint Allen announced Haileys indictment last month and also said they will be seeking the death penalty in the case. If found guilty, Allen will ask for death by lethal injection for Hailey.

Mitchell Collins will serve as the lead defense counsel in the case. The Collins Law Firm maintains three offices in Texarkana, Tyler and Longview. As of press time, Collins said, We believe in Kevins innocence and look forward to clearing his name.

annarocket · Guru

I was wondering who would be defending this guy.

I really can't say I blame anyone for retaining council,if anyone needs a good lawyer it's Kevin.But I couldn't sleep at night knowing I was making money off someone like that. evileye

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Amen but there are always those with the excuses , ie: he was such a sweet little boy while in Jr. High. and High School. All the while throwing puppies at road signs.... hummmmmmmmm who's that remind you of?
Sweetie Pies worst nightmare
itsy

annarocket · Guru

I can think of maybe....one person? evileye

littlepooh · Pre-Newbie

Yes she has two wounderful boys and he said in his own words to her that he would kill her whole family. So im glad he is not on the streets anymore to hurt them. aww

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Sounds mighty framiliar to me! Do you know me little pooh?
sweetie pie/itsy

littlepooh · Pre-Newbie

Im not sure sweet...If i do i might not remeber :( But, you can e-mail me at a_crazy_texas_mom@yahoo.com or littlepoohmccoy@aim.com either e-mails i will recive your message letting me know who you are hun. Then we can talk more if you would like take care and God Bless You Hun!!!

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Littlepooh, Check you email.
Sweetie pie/itsy

Stuckinahs · Senior Member

I can't believe it! Finally...I never thought this day would come.

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Stuckinahs wrote:

I can't believe it! Finally...I never thought this day would come.

Amen Stuckinahs but it has finally came!!!! Now of course he waived extradiction so from the way I understand it like it or not he should be back over here sometime in Nov. Sometimes prayers do truely get answered! Now we just have to go through the trial and hope and pray somemore they got everything they need for a conviction.
Sweetie Pie/ itsy

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Sweetie Pie wrote:

Littlepooh, Check you email.
Sweetie pie/itsy

Bye the way hun it will say it is from Jane Doe. That would be me .
its

Sweetie Pie · Veteran Member

Sorry everyone , I have been kinda busy and haven't even looked at the computer is quite a little while. My son is back from Korea and just went to San Antonio where after 6 months he will probably be sent to Iraq or Afganistan. Now real happy about that but nothing I can do about it but pray. I will be going down the begining of the week and stay with him for a week or so, then I'll be back and I have every intention on being at Kevins trial everyday that it goes on so I will do my best to keep everyone here at Justice Junction aware of whats going on as quickly as possible.

Anna when you are feeling better and I get a chance I would like to talk to you about following the Moulton case when it gets started also.   I'm sure that will come to pass after Haileys.

                                                        God Bless all of ya'll!
                                                               Sweetie Pie aka itsy