Butler v. State

PATTERSON, Chief Justice,

for the Court:

Betty Jean Butler was to have been tried in September, 1983, in the First Judicial District of Hinds County on a manslaughter indictment stemming from the death of her husband. At the time she was 15 years and 11 months old. The jury was impaneled, sworn, and after opening statements had been completed it came to the attention of the court that Betty Jean had not been certified by the youth court to stand trial as an adult. The court, by its own motion, then dismissed the jury and remanded Betty Jean to the youth court.

On November 28, 1983, the youth…