Boxer 'The Harlem Hammer' Gets 39 Year Sentence for Killing Sportswriter
Jim Kouri, CPP
April 09, 2006
Professional boxer James Butler Jr. was sentenced to more than 29 years in prison for the October 2004 fatal beating of a sportswriter at the victim?s Hollywood apartment.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ordered Butler, 33, to pay $17,853 in funeral and burial expenses to the family of 29-year-old Sam Kellerman, who was bludgeoned to death.
Judge Pastor ordered Butler to pay $11,882 to the firm that manages the apartment where
the killing occurred. Butler additionally was ordered to pay $10,000 to the state Victim's Restitution Fund.
Before sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Bjorn Dodd made a brief statement on behalf of the victim?s family, who were not present in court. ?The family wanted to state, ?We love you, Sam,?? Dodd said.
Butler, known professionally as ?The Harlem Hammer,? last month pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and arson and admitted to a prior assault conviction in New York City. Butler admitted using a hammer to bludgeon Kellerman to death and then setting fire inside the victim?s apartment when he was asked to leave.
While boxing, the six-foot lightweight had an impressive 20 wins, 12 by KO, and 5 losses. His first brush with the law in New York City resulted from his sucker-punch of boxer Richard Grant at the end of their ESPN2 televised bout on November 23, 2001.
Butler's behavior that night was described by sportscasters and the press as despicable. His punching Grant after it was announced Butler had lost a lopsided, 10-round unanimous decision was nothing short of horrifying. The boxing match was part of a benefit for the World Trade Center victims' families. He only served seven months for the assault.
Kellerman, the brother of Fox sportscaster Max Kellerman, had let Butler stay at this apartment while Butler was trying to revive his boxing career. Kellerman?s body was discovered in his apartment on Oct. 17, 2004.
The victim?s 1993 Cadillac Seville was discovered parked near UCLA and further investigation led to Butler?s arrest by LAPD homicide detectives.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ordered Butler, 33, to pay $17,853 in funeral and burial expenses to the family of 29-year-old Sam Kellerman, who was bludgeoned to death.
Judge Pastor ordered Butler to pay $11,882 to the firm that manages the apartment where
the killing occurred. Butler additionally was ordered to pay $10,000 to the state Victim's Restitution Fund.
Before sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Bjorn Dodd made a brief statement on behalf of the victim?s family, who were not present in court. ?The family wanted to state, ?We love you, Sam,?? Dodd said.
Butler, known professionally as ?The Harlem Hammer,? last month pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and arson and admitted to a prior assault conviction in New York City. Butler admitted using a hammer to bludgeon Kellerman to death and then setting fire inside the victim?s apartment when he was asked to leave.
While boxing, the six-foot lightweight had an impressive 20 wins, 12 by KO, and 5 losses. His first brush with the law in New York City resulted from his sucker-punch of boxer Richard Grant at the end of their ESPN2 televised bout on November 23, 2001.
Butler's behavior that night was described by sportscasters and the press as despicable. His punching Grant after it was announced Butler had lost a lopsided, 10-round unanimous decision was nothing short of horrifying. The boxing match was part of a benefit for the World Trade Center victims' families. He only served seven months for the assault.
Kellerman, the brother of Fox sportscaster Max Kellerman, had let Butler stay at this apartment while Butler was trying to revive his boxing career. Kellerman?s body was discovered in his apartment on Oct. 17, 2004.
The victim?s 1993 Cadillac Seville was discovered parked near UCLA and further investigation led to Butler?s arrest by LAPD homicide detectives.
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