Brian Butler Seeks Resentencing For 2003 Killing Of Grant Police Chief Verlon LeMaster

Brian Butler, who killed Chief Verlon LeMaster in 2003 as a teen, is asking an Alabama judge for a new sentence that includes the possibility of parole.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WAFF

The Historical Context Of The Case

In 2003, Brian Butler, then 17 years old, was involved in a confrontation that resulted in the death of Grant Police Chief Verlon LeMaster. Under Alabama law at the time, Butler was mandated to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole following his conviction for Capital Murder. However, shifts in judicial standards regarding the sentencing of minors have opened a "mechanical necessity" for legal reviews in such cases. Butler’s attorney appeared before Judge Tim Jolley this week to argue that a life sentence with the possibility of parole is a more appropriate and constitutional fit for a defendant who committed his crime as a juvenile.

Defense Highlights Rehabilitation And Prison Ministry

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense focused heavily on Butler’s conduct over the last two decades. Multiple character witnesses, including a former inmate, testified to Butler’s personal growth within the correctional system. The witness credited Butler with acting as a mentor and helping lead others to faith through prison ministry work. Family and friends also pointed to Butler’s commitment to his education and a lack of significant disciplinary issues as evidence of his "radical transformation" into a rehabilitated citizen.

Butler’s Testimony On Drug Use And Responsibility

Brian Butler took the stand to address the court directly, offering insight into his mental state during the 2003 incident. He testified that he was suffering from heavy drug use and severe paranoia at the time, stating he was "not in his right mind" when the shooting occurred. While Butler told the court he accepts responsibility for his role in the events of that day, he notably denied being the individual who fired the fatal shot that killed Chief LeMaster. Despite this denial, his conviction for Capital Murder remains the legal standing for the sentencing review.