Judge Cancels Approval of Rape Suspect’s Castration

A judge withdrew his approval Monday for a child rape suspect’s request to be castrated rather than stand trial. The judge said a doctor could not be found to perform the surgery.

State District Judge Michael McSpadden agreed March 6 to let Steven Allen Butler be castrated after Butler asked to undergo the procedure rather than stand trial on charges that he raped a 13-year-old girl.

The judge had said Butler would be placed on a form of probation for 10 years if he underwent the surgery. If he stands trial and is convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

McSpadden had said a doctor was willing to perform the surgery on the 28-year-old Butler. But adverse publicity surrounding the case prompted him and another doctor to renege, defense attorney Clyde Williams said. No other doctor could be found to perform the surgery, she said.

The case touched off a storm of controversy. Critics said castration was a barbaric action that did nothing to address the crime of rape, and black activists said the action was racially motivated because Butler is black.

One of Butler’s sisters and a lawyer representing Butler’s family said last week that Butler had had second thoughts about undergoing the procedure. But Williams said Butler had told her as recently as Friday that he still wanted to.

McSpadden’s ruling effectively put an end to the castration option, meaning Butler still faces the aggravated sexual assault charge. No trial date has been set.

Butler was on probation for indecency with a 7-year-old girl when he was arrested last April for his alleged attacks on the 13-year-old.