18-Year-Old Convicted in Teen’s Slaying

A Los Angeles jury convicted Antwaine Butler on Wednesday of first-degree murder for killing a 14-year-old Crenshaw High School student last year, in a case that prompted LAPD Chief William J. Bratton to declare war on gang crime in Los Angeles.

The jury also found Butler, 18, guilty of using a handgun in the shooting of Clive Jackson Jr. on Nov. 21, 2002. He faces a life term in state prison when he is sentenced Feb. 5.

Butler pounded his fist against the wall as sheriff’s deputies escorted him from the courtroom to a holding cell.

Jackson’s mother, Sharon Smith, cried when the verdict was read.

“I feel that justice has been served,” she said later. “This animal will not be back on the street.”

Jackson was killed outside MacGee’s Donut Shop on South Western Avenue near Vernon Avenue. The shooting of the teen came during a rash of gang-related shootings and prompted an aggressive crackdown on gang violence.

The Los Angeles Police Department launched joint operations with state and county agencies to track down parole and probation violators, many of them gang members, living in the city’s most violent neighborhoods.

Butler turned himself in after a nationwide manhunt. Deputy Dist. Atty. Alison Matsumoto said Butler shot Jackson about 10 times.

Defense attorney Mark Werksman said Butler maintains that he wasn’t there and that this was a case of mistaken identity.

“But the jury has obviously decided otherwise, and we have to accept their verdict,” he said.