Nationwide — Krieg Butler, the man who shot and killed 13-year-old Sinzae Reed in October 2022 outside his Columbus, Ohio home, has pleaded guilty to two lesser charges. These charges were related to improperly handling a firearm and tampering with evidence, not directly linked to Reed’s death.A Franklin County jury had been deliberating Butler’s fate but struggled to reach a verdict. On Friday morning, after the jury said they couldn’t agree, Butler chose to plead guilty, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
The case drew national attention, especially after the death of George Floyd earlier in 2022, sparking protests and activism.
Butler, a 38-year-old white man, was initially charged with murder related to the shooting of Reed, but those charges were dismissed. Butler claimed he shot in self-defense after Reed fired at him first. Investigators later found that Reed had a gun, which was removed before police arrived.
Butler, who has a felony conviction, was not allowed to carry a loaded gun. After the shooting, he fled the scene and gave the gun to a relative. He initially lied about having the gun but later helped police find it.
Butler’s lawyer, Touré McCord, argued that Butler was forced to carry a gun for his safety after had been repeatedly threatened by a neighbor. On the day of the shooting, the neighbor made threatening comments to Butler, according to McCord. Butler’s actions and the charges against him were focused on his handling of the weapon, not Reed’s death.
As part of the plea agreement, Butler will serve 3 years of probation and a six-month jail sentence. He is set to be formally sentenced on December 2. Additionally, Butler has agreed to testify if anyone else is charged in connection with Reed’s death.