THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RELEASE
On October 23, 2024, Jaylin Butler (DOB 4/26/2001), formerly of Danville, Illinois, pleaded guilty in case number 2023-CF-629 to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a class 2 felony and Reckless Homicide, Motor Vehicle, a class 3 felony for 8 ½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by 1-year mandatory supervised release. Butler also pleaded guilty in case number 2022-CF-574 to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a class 2 felony, for 4 ½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be followed by 1-year
mandatory supervised release. The sentences are to be served consecutively.
During the plea hearing, the People presented evidence to the Court in case 2023-CF-629, that on September 26, 2023, Danville Police officers attempted to stop Jaylin Butler’s vehicle for an Illinois Vehicle Code violation in the area of Bowman and Fairchild in Danville. Butler was observed by officers to be alone in the vehicle. Butler eluded police and during the pursuit, officers observed Butler to slow the vehicle and throw a black handgun out of the front passenger side window. Officers stopped to secure the firearm.
Butler continued to elude police, driving at high rates of speed more than 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit, disobeying multiple stop signs and stop lights, through high traffic areas. Officers observed Butler to disobey the traffic stop on Gilbert Street and Voorhees, consequently striking a truck that was traveling north. Butler’s vehicle was seen going airborne and then flipped on its side, landing inthe yard of a residence on North Gilbert with flames coming from the hood. Officers ran to the scene of the accident and observed two male victims with severe injuries who had been ejected from the truck that was struck by Butler’s vehicle. One of the victims, William Marietta of Danville, succumbed to his injuries and died as a result of the crash. The passenger of Mr. Marietta’s vehicle survived the crash.
The People also presented evidence in case 2022-CF-574, that on March 26, 2022, Jaylin Butler was the driver of a vehicle that was stopped by an officer with the Danville Police. Butler was arrested for Illinois Vehicle Code violations and the vehicle was subsequently searched. Officers recovered a loaded handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. DNA taken from the handle of the gun was tested by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory and the analysis provided “Very Strong Support” that Jaylin Butler was included as a contributor to the DNA profile.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Danville Police for their work in the crimes committed by Butler and for their commitment to the safety of the citizens of Danville. She added, “I extend my continued condolences to the family of Mr. Marietta. It is my hope that the surviving victim will continue to heal and that the family can begin to move forward from this traumatic loss.”
