Sometimes, the "when it rains, it pours" cliche' seems appropriate. I just published another diary earlier today about a
violent anti-gay incident in New York City. And, now here is one from West Virginia.
Marshall University running back Steward Butler was arrested Wednesday morning for beating a same-sex couple that he saw kissing. The couple was walking down the street in Huntington, WV., and at one point shared a kiss. Mr. Butler apparently saw them and launched into a tirade over what he saw and then hit them. The incident is apparently being investigated as a hate crime by the FBI.
From WOWKTV:
Officers from the Huntington Police Departments say they have arrested a Marshall University football player.
Steward Butler is charged with two counts of battery after beating a same sex couple.
According to a criminal complaint released by the Cabell County, WV magistrate's office Zackery Johnson and Casey Williams were walking in the area of 9th Street and 5th Avenue on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. The same-sex couple stopped and kissed.
Butler passed by the couple in a vehicle and shouted derogatory remarks about their sexual orientation. The vehicle then stopped and Butler got out. He punched at least one of the two men in the face with a closed fist.
From
USA Today:
Butler then hit both victims with a closed fist.
He was arrested, charged with 2 counts of battery and has been released on a $10,000 bond.
"The FBI is conducting a hate crime investigation related to the incident," said Huntington (W.V.) chief of police Joe Ciccarelli.
Butler, a redshirt junior, was third in the nation with a 8.8 yards-per-carry.
Marshall University officials say that they are investigating the incident internally.
Update 1:
According to the CNN story at the link provided by ChadmanFL, Mr. Butler has been released from the football team. And, another correction from Bob Johnson below is that the event happened on April 5, but the arrest was made yesterday.