In the autumn of 2014, the life of 44-year-old Leonard Butler, a Black male, was violently cut short in his Pittsburgh home. On the afternoon of October 14, two men, Derek Lee and Paul Durham, forced their way into Butler's residence on Lakewood Street in the Elliott neighborhood. Butler and his girlfriend were at home at the time and were forced into the basement at gunpoint.
The intruders demanded money, and when Butler replied that he had none, he was repeatedly tased and pistol-whipped.
The situation escalated when one of the assailants went upstairs to search the house. Seizing an opportunity, Butler struggled with the remaining man, Paul Durham, over his gun. During the struggle, a single shot was fired, and Butler was fatally wounded. The two men then fled the scene. A neighbor who had witnessed two men acting suspiciously in the area had the foresight to write down the license plate number of their vehicle, which was later traced to a car rented by Derek Lee.
The investigation into Leonard Butler's death revealed a story of jealousy and revenge. Prosecutors alleged that Butler's ex-girlfriend, Jamie Parker, was angry that he had been released from jail without informing her and had another woman in his home. It was contended that she solicited her co-worker, Derek Lee, to assault Butler. Although initially charged with criminal homicide, the charges against Parker were later withdrawn due to evidentiary issues, and she instead faced a conspiracy to commit robbery charge.
In September 2016, both Derek Lee and Paul Durham were convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Leonard Butler. Butler's girlfriend identified both men from a photo array. However, in a significant legal development in March 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional. This ruling came as a result of an appeal filed by Derek Lee and has led to an order for his resentencing. The court's decision has implications for numerous other inmates in Pennsylvania serving similar sentences.
