an attempted cover-up. On July 8, 2005, a Los Angeles judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Butler to stand trial on charges of murder and arson. On March 27, 2006, Butler pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and arson in the 2004 death of Kellerman. On April 5, Butler was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, according to Deputy Public Defender Jack Keenan. Prosecutors speculated Butler was having relationship issues with his girlfriend while also struggling to revive his boxing career when Kellerman asked Butler to move out. A disagreement ensued on how long Butler could stay when he picked up a hammer and killed Kellerman then torched his house. Professional boxing record References External links James Butler Deserves Ban From Boxing Video of James Butler's sucker punch against Richard Grant 1972 births African-American boxers Light-heavyweight boxers American people convicted of assault American people convicted of manslaughter American sportspeople convicted of crimes Living people Sportspeople from Manhattan American people convicted of arson Prisoners and detainees of California American male boxers Prisoners and detainees of New York (state) Boxers from New York City 21st-century African-American sportspeople 20th-century African-American sportspeople