Special Judge Susan Worthington
- Case on record
- 1
- Ended in a killing
- 0
- Prior arrests across these defendants
- 1
Background
Payne County, Oklahoma special judge who granted Jesse Butler 'youthful offender' status despite prosecutors seeking up to 78 years for multiple rapes and strangulation of two female victims. Worthington has documented ties to Oklahoma State University, where Butler's father had been director of football operations. The sentencing sparked protests in Stillwater and a Marsy's Law motion from a victim's attorney in December 2025.
Cases on record
Two minors (identities protected), 17
Butler pleaded no contest to multiple counts of rape, sexual battery, and domestic assault and battery by strangulation of two female victims. Despite prosecutors seeking up to 78 years and recorded evidence of the assaults, Judge Worthington reclassified him as a youthful offender and sentenced him to probation, counseling, community service, and curfews — no prison time. Protests followed in Stillwater; a Marsy's Law motion was filed in December 2025.