In the summer of 2015, a life was tragically cut short in Macon, Georgia. Javoris Butler, a 29-year-old male, was shot on July 21, 2015, at the Pendleton Homes on Houston Avenue. He was rushed to the Medical Center, Navicent Health, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His death was the result of gun violence.
The investigation into Butler's death led authorities to a suspect, Steve Anthony Fort. As police were arriving at the scene of the shooting, Fort forced a woman to drive him away from the area, effectively kidnapping her in his attempt to flee. This act would later have significant legal consequences for him. Fort was subsequently arrested and faced a host of charges, including murder and armed robbery in connection with the shooting of Javoris Butler.
The case against Steve Anthony Fort went to trial, where the prosecution, led by Chief Assistant District Attorney Nancy Malcor and Assistant District Attorney Ben Conkling, presented their evidence. However, after more than four hours of deliberation over two days, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charges of murder and armed robbery. While acquitted of directly causing Butler's death, Fort was convicted of the kidnapping that occurred as he fled the scene. For this crime, he was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison.
