Final Arguments Presented in Police-Slaying Trial

Jurors heard closing arguments Thursday in the trial of Stacy Butler, a San Diego gang member accused of murdering Police Officer Jerry Hartless in early 1988.

Butler could be sentenced to die in the gas chamber if he is convicted of killing Hartless, who was chasing members of Butler’s Southeast San Diego gang known as the “Syndo mob” when he shot.

Police Chief Bob Burgreen attended part of the morning session after being invited by Hartless’ widow, Shawn Dee Hartless.

Burgreen, noting that he participated in the investigation at the scene, and that Hartless was the last San Diego officer killed in the line of duty, said: “This is a very special case to me. It means a lot.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Keith Burt characterized Butler as a man who had murder on his mind the night Hartless was shot. Burt argued that testimony clearly indicated Butler had threatened to kill a police officer and was planning a “hit” on a rival gang the night Hartless was killed.

Discussing Butler’s gang affiliation, Burt told the jury: “Why do they shoot people? For wearing the wrong color, for being in the wrong location. That is low regard for human life.”

Burt detailed his theory of what happened the night of Jan. 9, 1988, and urged the jury to find that Butler had fulfilled his promise of killing a cop.

Defense attorney William Nimmo ridiculed Burt’s argument, calling it “a serious misrepresentation of the facts.”

“It’s full of ranting and raving and screaming about the (officer’s) death,” Nimmo told the jury, and warned the panel about a lack of evidence against his client.

Nimmo said several San Diego officers who testified about Butler’s apprehension soon after the shooting were “liars.” He also presented to the jury the “Crosby Lie Chart” in an attempt to point out discrepancies between the testimony of Officer Tyrone Crosby and statements made in previous reports.

The jury may begin deliberations today.