JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Brenton Butler, the teen wrongly accused in the 2000 murder of a Georgia tourist, told Eyewitness News he needs to let people know what happened to him so it doesn't happen again. He tells his story in his new book, "They Said It Was Murder."
Butler, 15 at the time, was tried and later acquitted of shooting Marianne Stephenson near a Ramada Inn in Jacksonville.
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During the trial, Brenton's defense claimed that JSO officers, particularly Detective Michael Glover, Sheriff Nat Glover's son, physically forced a murder confession out of him.
Butler spent six months in jail before being acquitted. His family then filed a civil lawsuit against the city and received $775,000.
Sheriff Nat Glover admitted that Butler's arrest should not have happened and apologized to the family.
Butler was the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary and has written a book about his experience. He spoke with Channel Four's Jim Piggott about why he wrote the book.
"There are a lot of untold things and I want to tell people what I was going through," said Butler.
In his book, Butler detailed the beatings he said he suffered in the hands of the JSO and the coerced confession he made.
A grand jury investigated the case, but did not bring charges against the detectives involved in the investigation. A police review ordered discipline for four officers involved, but an administrative judge overturned that.
Butler said he is still trying to cope with his ordeal.
"Well, I am not furious but, I mean, I am trying to cope and get past everything," he explained.
Juan Curtis, who was later charged with the murder, received a life sentence.
Butler said that, despite his story, he doesn't think things at the sheriff's office have changed.
Previous Stories:
- February 22, 2001: Butler Family Plans $2.5 Million Civil Lawsuit
- February 22, 2001: Shorstein, Glover Apologize To 'Wrongly Accused' Teen
- November 22, 2000: Teen Acquitted Of Tourist Murder
- November 16, 2000: Teenager Accused Of Killing Tourist Takes Witness Stand