Former Lakewood Cop Accused Of Sex Assault Dies Amid Trial

DENVER, CO — A sexual assault trial in Denver ended after the defendant, a former Lakewood police officer, took his own life, the Denver DA said.

Randall Shaun Butler, 39, was charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that occurred on Nov. 16, 2018, the Denver District Attorney's Office said.

Butler's trial began June 1, but prior to closing arguments Tuesday, the presiding judge notified the court and the jury that the defendant had taken his own life, the DA said.

“We are sorry that this trial ended in this manner and our sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Butler," Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a statement.

"I am grateful that the victims in this case found the strength and courage to come forward and had an opportunity to tell their stories despite not having the finality of a jury verdict.”

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Butler was on duty when he offered a ride to a woman, prosecutors said. He then drove her to a parking lot on Sheridan Boulevard between 25th and 26th Avenues, and sexually assaulted her before asking for her phone number, the DA's office said.

While out on bond for the Denver charges, Butler was arrested a second time after a woman said Butler offered her a ride home and tried to sexually assault her while he was on duty June 8, 2018, Lakewood police said.