Joseph Spinks Sentenced to 16 Years for Murder

Joseph Spinks was sentenced last month to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and obstruction of justice in the killing of 29-year-old Delonte Butler. According to court records, around 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2010, Spinks shot Butler in the face with a rifle while Butler was sitting inside a vehicle in … Read more →

10 Year Sentence for “Malicious Burning” Plea in Murder Case

Phillip Crooms was sentenced Wednesday to ten years in prison for his role in a robbery that left 29-year-old Delonte Butler dead. According to court records, prosecutors believe that Butler was shot by a rifle while inside of a vehicle by Croom’s co-defendant, Joseph Spinks. Immediately following the shooting, the car collided with a tree. … Read more →

Malicious Burning” Plea in Delonte Butler Murder

Phillip Crooms today pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, robbery and “malicious burning” in connection to the death of Delonte Butler in Sept. 2010. According a proffer of evidence read in court Friday, prosecutors believe that Butler was shot by a rifle while inside of a vehicle by Croom’s co-defendant, Joseph Spinks. Immediately following the … Read more →

Prosecutors Given Time to Clarify Case Against Phillip Crooms

At a preliminary hearing today Judge Lynn Leibovitz sent government prosecutors back to the drawing board, instructing them to find clarification on the cause of death of 29-year-old Delonte Butler. Butler’s body was found by District officers on Sept. 25, 2010 next to a car that was on fire. Joseph Spinks was arrested on suspicion … Read more →

Phillip Crooms Arrested in Delonte Butler Death

Phillip Crooms was arrested today on first-degree murder charges in connection with the homicide of Delonte Butler in September 2010, according to MPD. Butler, 29, was found by District officers on Sept. 25 in a car that was on fire. He was pronounced dead at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, whose subsequent investigation … Read more →

Joseph Spinks

  • Arrested: Sept. 27, 2010
  • Age: 25
  • Gender: Male
  • Race: Black

Pleaded guilty in the Sept. 25, 2010 death of Delonte Butler.