AKRON, Ohio — An 18-year-old Akron man has been sentenced to life in prison for a homicide that took place more than a year ago.
Jalen Butler pleaded guilty last week to murder (with a gun specification) and tampering with evidence in connection with the October 2021 shooting death of 48-year-old Steven Sitts. Summit County prosecutors subsequently agreed to drop other charges including aggravated murder.
Officials say Butler got into an argument with Sitts over a phone before shooting Sitts inside a residence on the 500 block of Dayton Street. Police later found Sitts dead inside, and U.S. Marshals arrested Butler less than two weeks later just blocks away from the crime scene.
Though Butler was just 17 at the time of the murder, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh decided to charge the teen as an adult. Following the plea agreement, Judge Alison Breaux issued the final sentence Tuesday and ruled Butler will be eligible for parole after 20 years behind bars.