Oct 27 2021
Tim Butcher Mug Shots from CRJ
Tim Butcher and his
family have been mainstays in this county for decades. Tim
followed in his Mother's footsteps and got into politics first
as a Town Mayor followed by a stint as County Commissioner.
After years of using prescription pain killers, things changed. Doctors and the medical community changed their way on handing out tons of pain killers. Once hooked on the pills and when they were no longer available to him, he went the street route. The future turned dark for the 69 year old guy.
On Wed Oct 27th, Judge Ric Facemire ran the sentencing proceedings.
Tim Opten Butcher participated from Central Regional Jail (CRJ) via a tele conference. In the peanut gallery were members of Tim's family.
For this court proceeding, the public nor the lawyers could see Tim. Judge Facemire had his laptop up front and he could see Butcher. But, no one else witnessed the guy's look, remarks, and for that matter, the public could not even hear the lad. That takes a lot away from the process.
Often watching the prisoner can tell us stuff. How he stands, fidgets, looks, and his attitude can be tell tale signs. We miss those days.
According to Facemire, the last two years have been a downward spiral for Tim Butcher. That bad time included a painful divorce.
Defense attorney Tim Carrico laid out: please consider probation for Butcher... he has been a law abiding person up until the last couple years...his drugs addiction destroyed his marriage... I have a letter from his ex wife touting him as a wonderful husband except at the end ... Butcher did not sell drugs for profit ... he has no history of crime ... People love him ... He has kids who have drug issues ...
He has gone thru a drug rehab program (jail) and he wants more drug rehab time ... you know, in July 2021 while out on bond he whizzed hot... it is a gripping problem ... He is clear minded now. Please consider probation for Tim O Butcher.
Tim himself spoke to the Court but we couldn't hear his message back in the peanut gallery.
Prosecutor Jim Samples told the Court: he doesn't object to probation and a complete drug treatment program. Samples added, the other three (already sentenced) preyed on his addiction.
County Clay is blessed to have experienced, thinking, Judges in this circuit.
We were able to scribble down some of Judge Facemire's message to Tim. From those words: drugs are a scourge here and the U S of A; I wish I could do away with drug addictions;....Once an addict always an addict [when it comes to drugs and alcohol];.... You had an exemplary career;... You have a good family, home, ... I don't want to see you overdose; ...When you couldn't get medications you changes to [street] drugs ;...
I am not convinced you have overcome your addiction.. you would just start again... Probation is denied.
Gulp!
Tim Butcher was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison but no fine will be levied. Judge Facemire suspended the sentence if if if Butcher can successfully go thru an in institutional drug rehab treatment program. If Butcher passes the program, Facemire told Tim, he would look favorably at changing the balance of the sentence.
And then the kicker for the 69 year old wash out, if he screws up the program, flunks out, it's back to the slammer for the full sentence
Tim has one chance and that's more than many others get. If he heads back to the land of drug use and misuse, Badges will pick him up, take him to CRJ followed by a more permanent home in a state prison. There will be no more chances, no more court hearings. Whatever happens to Mr Butcher, it's up to him. A silver spoon can only go so far.
AW
After years of using prescription pain killers, things changed. Doctors and the medical community changed their way on handing out tons of pain killers. Once hooked on the pills and when they were no longer available to him, he went the street route. The future turned dark for the 69 year old guy.
On Wed Oct 27th, Judge Ric Facemire ran the sentencing proceedings.
Tim Opten Butcher participated from Central Regional Jail (CRJ) via a tele conference. In the peanut gallery were members of Tim's family.
For this court proceeding, the public nor the lawyers could see Tim. Judge Facemire had his laptop up front and he could see Butcher. But, no one else witnessed the guy's look, remarks, and for that matter, the public could not even hear the lad. That takes a lot away from the process.
Often watching the prisoner can tell us stuff. How he stands, fidgets, looks, and his attitude can be tell tale signs. We miss those days.
According to Facemire, the last two years have been a downward spiral for Tim Butcher. That bad time included a painful divorce.
Defense attorney Tim Carrico laid out: please consider probation for Butcher... he has been a law abiding person up until the last couple years...his drugs addiction destroyed his marriage... I have a letter from his ex wife touting him as a wonderful husband except at the end ... Butcher did not sell drugs for profit ... he has no history of crime ... People love him ... He has kids who have drug issues ...
He has gone thru a drug rehab program (jail) and he wants more drug rehab time ... you know, in July 2021 while out on bond he whizzed hot... it is a gripping problem ... He is clear minded now. Please consider probation for Tim O Butcher.
Tim himself spoke to the Court but we couldn't hear his message back in the peanut gallery.
Prosecutor Jim Samples told the Court: he doesn't object to probation and a complete drug treatment program. Samples added, the other three (already sentenced) preyed on his addiction.
County Clay is blessed to have experienced, thinking, Judges in this circuit.
We were able to scribble down some of Judge Facemire's message to Tim. From those words: drugs are a scourge here and the U S of A; I wish I could do away with drug addictions;....Once an addict always an addict [when it comes to drugs and alcohol];.... You had an exemplary career;... You have a good family, home, ... I don't want to see you overdose; ...When you couldn't get medications you changes to [street] drugs ;...
I am not convinced you have overcome your addiction.. you would just start again... Probation is denied.
Gulp!
Tim Butcher was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison but no fine will be levied. Judge Facemire suspended the sentence if if if Butcher can successfully go thru an in institutional drug rehab treatment program. If Butcher passes the program, Facemire told Tim, he would look favorably at changing the balance of the sentence.
And then the kicker for the 69 year old wash out, if he screws up the program, flunks out, it's back to the slammer for the full sentence
Tim has one chance and that's more than many others get. If he heads back to the land of drug use and misuse, Badges will pick him up, take him to CRJ followed by a more permanent home in a state prison. There will be no more chances, no more court hearings. Whatever happens to Mr Butcher, it's up to him. A silver spoon can only go so far.
AW