Man Who Brutally Murdered Elderly Japanese-American Woman Will Not Face Death Penalty

Fusako Petrus, 86, was walking on the Highland High School track when Petrus’ friend was attacked and sexually assaulted by Butler, 18.

Petrus stepped in to help and attacked Butler with a small walking stick. Butler then turned his attention onto Petrust and began attacking her — she died at the scene.

“She died trying to help her friend,” Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Tony Turnbull was quoted as saying.

Just a few hours later, Butler attacked a 92-year-old woman in the Arden Arcade neighborhood, inflicting great bodily injury and “unjustifiable physical pain.”

Prosecutors are currently seeking a life sentence in prison without parole against Butler, citing Butler’s age, who turned 18 days before the attack, lack of a prior criminal record and documented mental health issues.

Linda Parisi, Butler’s court-appointed counsel, called the prosecutors’ decision to not pursue the death penalty “an appropriate decision” based on her client’s “significant mental health issues.”

Butler is scheduled to appear in court again on December 5th.

Fusako Petrus’ is survived by her niece Kaoru Imai who lives in Osaka, Japan, as well as her family and friends in the United States. According to her obituary.