Jury Finds Two Men Convicted in Murder of Ryan Butler Liable for His Illinois Wrongful Death
A jury has awarded $155,000 to the family of Ryan Butler for his Illinois wrongful death. The 30-year-old Pawnee man was bludgeoned to death with a cinder block on January 25, 2008. Now, the men convicted in his slaying have been ordered to pay Butler’s parents and siblings $50,000 for his conscious pain and suffering, $100,000 for the loss of his companionship, and $5,000 for funeral costs.
Butler was murdered on the same day that he had checked himself out of the Wells Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility. He reportedly met Michael Buss and Christopher Walker at Lahey’s Lounge, a Jacksonville liquor establishment, where the three men reportedly drank together for several hours. They then went to Dunlap Court Beverages, a local liquor store, to buy more alcohol before going to Merediosa to attend a band rehearsal.
During an argument between the men, Buss struck Butler several times and Walker struck him three times with a cinder block. Both men are now in jail.
Walker, who was found guilty of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death during a bench trial, is now serving a 45-year prison term. Meantime, Buss, who pleaded guilty to concealment of a homicide and perjury for false testimony, is serving 20 years in prison.
Butler’s dad Deon Butter had also sued Lahey’s Lounge and Dunlap Court Beverages for his son’s Illinois wrongful death. However, the civil jury did not find the two Jacksonville liquor establishments liable under the Illinois Dram Shop Act. The act maintains that if a victim contributed to the “intoxication” of those that caused his/her injuries or deaths, then no Illinois personal injury or wrongful death compensation can be obtained from parties that could otherwise be considered liable. The jury found that Butler contributed to Walker and Buss becoming drunk.
Liquor establishments not liable in 2008 death, My Journal Courier, May 26, 2010
Pawnee man death update, Connect Tristates.com, January 27, 2008
Related Web Resource:
Illinois Wrongful Death Act
