Arkansas Supreme Court reverses ruling in fatal shooting of Catholic High Student; Victim’s family responds to decision
By Ashley Walley
Published on April 19, 2026.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has overturned a lower court decision in a case involving the death of Catholic High School student John Allen Staats in 2025. Jeyvon Butler, who was 15 at the time, is being charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery and has been held since his mother turned him in on the day of the shooting. The high court argues that the lower court incorrectly interpreted the law in moving the case to juvenile court, citing evidence and testimony from John's twin brother as evidence that the crime was violent. The case will return to a lower level court, where Butler will be tried as an adult.
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