11.15.11: Butler Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Killing Girlfriend of Man He Was Feuding with over Money
November 15, 2011 -- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alfred Nance sentenced Johnny Butler today to two consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for murdering Sintia Mesa and leaving her body in the trunk of a car parked in Baltimore City
In January 2007, Butler was engaged in a financial dispute with the victim's boyfriend, Jermarl Jones. He believed that Jones owed him $50,000 and that Jones's girlfriend could take him to where Jones stashed his cash. So on Friday, January 26, 2007, Butler captured Ms. Mesa as she made her way to a salon appointment. Her nude body was discovered three days later in the trunk of her car.
On October 14, 2011, a Baltimore jury convicted Butler, 36, of first-degree murder, conspiracy to murder, and a third-degree sex offense for the January 2007 killing.
Assistant State's Attorney Rita Wisthoff-Ito prosecuted the case.