The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are simply that.

Opinions.

All are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Sensitive topics are discussed.

Discretion is advised. I'm Viti Pawlintan.

The subject of my investigation, the violent sexual assaults of two teenage girls by the same offender.

He's been caught and prosecuted, but not really punished. Here's the story.

Jesse Butler was a star high school athlete in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a big man on campus.

But Jesse's life flipped when multiple 16-year-old girls accused him of repeated rape, strangulation, and violent assault.

Police found video on his phone showing one victim unconscious from choking,

a doctor saying she would have died if it lasted seconds longer.

Facing up to 78 years behind bars, the community expected accountability instead prosecutors

applied the youthful offender statute and in a stunning turn Butler received a

suspended 78 years sentence avoiding prison time under strict supervision

victims families erupted in outrage calling the result a betrayal of justice and an insult to trauma.

What message does this send when a violent offender like this faces no real consequences?

Get ready to shake your head for the next hour as we go through this story and try to understand what happened here in Oklahoma.

Let's begin by bringing in court TV field reporter Cody Thomas, who's been on this story.

Cody, let's start first because I think everyone, we all need a clear, clear understanding and picture of the specific allegations of the type of conduct we're talking about in this case.

Yeah, Vinnie, it's kind of egregious when you really go through it.

Jesse Butler faced 10 rape-related charges for alleged incidents that happened throughout 2024.

Now, he pleaded no contest to them in the spring of 2025.

...