The Region - News from Feb. 27, 1985

A former Fremont High School football star was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for raping a 5-year-old girl and killing her 4-year-old brother by slashing the boy’s throat. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gordon Ringer imposed the term on Donnie Butler, 25, whom he called “one of the most dangerous people I’ve ever encountered.” Butler, who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, occasionally smiled, giggled and stuck out his tongue during a sentencing hearing as his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Leslie Falick, described him as “crazy as crazy can be,” and the prosecutor, Deputy Dist. Atty. Sandra Buttitta, described details of his 1982 attacks on the children at a home in the 300 block of West 71st Street.