Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Thursday, March 4, 2010 5:24 pm

A 16-year-old driver accused of killing a friend in a vehicular homicide deserves a second chance, said the father of the deceased boy.

The male driver was released to his guardians after the victim’s father, Joe Butler, did not oppose his release during a detention hearing Thursday in Juvenile Court.

He was charged with killing friend Joseph Shane Butler, 20, of Hendersonville during an Oct. 25 crash on Deerwood Avenue, said Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans. Drugs, alcohol and speeding were listed as contributing factors.

Butler told Judge Donna Scott Davenport he did not oppose the driver being released from detention.

“I don’t bear any ill will toward him,” the father told Davenport, adding he hoped the boy would learn some insight, make the right choices and “follow the Lord and do the right thing.”

The boy cried while listening to Butler.

Davenport said Juvenile Court is designed to treat and rehabilitate children, not to punish them. She noted the boy doesn't have a prior criminal record.

“We couldn’t bring back a life but we could help with other lives,” Davenport said.

After the hearing, Butler said Jesus forgave him and gave him a second chance and the Lord will see the boy through the tragedy.

“Jesus is the one who can make a change,” Butler said. “I want to see him do the same thing.”

During the hearing, arresting Officer David Harrison of the Fatal Accident Crash Team said the boy didn’t have a driver’s license.

Davenport released the boy on house arrest. He must attend school, obey household rules and be accompanied by adults if he leaves the house.

“I will be watching you like a hawk even though you don’t live in my county,” Davenport told him.

Collum said she and District Attorney William Whitesell discussed prosecuting the boy as an adult but have not yet made a decision on asking to transfer his case to Circuit Court.

A hearing was reset in June.