The man accused of beating to death a 69-year-old man whose Escondido home is heavily decorated in American flags, military insignias and President Donald Trump memorabilia will face a charge of murder.
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Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, initially faced an attempted murder charge when he was arraigned following the May 20 attack outside victim Kerry Sheron’s home. Sheron died four days after the assault. Prosecutors on Monday added the murder charge and dropped the attempted murder count.
“The violent assault and murder of Kerry Sheron outside his own home has left his family and community shaken and grieving for the veteran’s senseless loss of life,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement Wednesday.
“The investigation will continue to seek answers to the relevant aspects of this case,” she added.
The attack happened in front of Sheron’s home, which is known to neighbors as the “Trump House.” Escondido police said last week they were evaluating all potential motives for the attack but had no evidence to support that it had been politically motivated.
Butler, who is jailed without bail, was slated to appear Wednesday for a hearing in Vista Superior Court, but he refused to attend. No further information was released about his refusal.
The hearing was rescheduled for Friday, and he may be arraigned on the new charge at that time.
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Butler’s refusal to attend the hearing frustrated and angered several of Sheron’s supporters present for the hearing Wednesday. “Why does he have the right to say ‘I don’t feel like going to court today?’” Jim Gillie said as he and other friends of the victim held up a large banner calling for justice for Sheron.
“He was a selfless guy,” Gillie said of Sheron, and spoke of Sheron’s work as a volunteer. “He certainly didn’t deserve this. He deserves justice.”
When Butler was first arraigned last month, Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia told reporters Sheron’s attacker punched him once in the jaw, sending Sheron to the ground. When Sheron was down, the assailant repeatedly struck him in the head.
A bystander who tried to intervene was also injured. Both Sheron and the bystander were taken to a hospital. The newly amended complaint also includes charges accusing Butler of battery and making a criminal threat against the bystander.
The assailant fled before police arrived. Police found and arrested Butler on East Mission Avenue and Begonia Street, a few blocks from the scene of the attack.
Documents filed in San Diego Superior Court by Butler’s estranged wife last year describe Butler as a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and allege a history of violent behavior.
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City News Service contributed to this report.
