Judge wants third opinion on Bible quoter's mental health

Sept. 05--BOUNTIFUL -- A man who told police there is no biblical age restriction set between sex partners will have a third mental evaluation, a judge has ordered.

Judge Glen Dawson ordered the third mental competency evaluation on Thursday after a hearing where two psychologists testified on their evaluations they conducted on Timothy Butler, 54, of Layton.

Dawson said the two reports he received make it seem as if Butler is two different people and that is why he would like a third opinion.

He also told the attorneys to prepare as if the case would be headed to trial within a few months. He set a hearing for Nov. 2 when a trial could be set.

Butler was arrested in March after a girl said Butler sexually abused her when she was 5 years old while she was visiting her grandmother's home in Layton. He was reportedly a family friend at the time.

He is charged with two counts of sodomy of a child, two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, one count of drug possession and dealing in materials harmful to a minor.

Butler initially made an effort to represent himself in court but is currently being represented by defense attorney Julie George.

At one point during Thursday's hearing, George asked Dawson if they could take a 10-minute recess because Butler was becoming "agitated." The break happened during the testimony given by Dr. Rick Hawks when Butler kept leaning over to George and talking to her.

Hawks testified Butler is not competent to stand trial. Butler, he said, shows signs of "non-bizarre disillusion disorder."

Hawks said as long as Butler answered questions during their sessions with a paper and pencil, Butler appeared rational. But when Butler was asked open-ended questions, the answers were not always on topic or had to do with the issue.

Hawks said when he asked Butler about his statement he made to police about the Bible, Butler replied he was entrapped by the police because they have no evidence except his statement, and that he then plans to sue them and will get $1 million a month so he can fund his church.

Butler also told Hawks during his evaluation he believes God will get him out of trouble and that "I'm his vessel to bring about the immorality of man," Hawks testified.

Butler has problems trusting people and told Hawks that he has not been able to "trust anybody since the fall of Adam and Eve."

Dr. Eric Nielsen did his evaluation of Butler after Hawks. He said Butler does understand the charges and the possible consequences of being convicted.

Nielsen said Butler told him, "I didn't do the crime. The evidence is insufficient."

Nielsen said he asked Butler what he would say when he testified and Butler told him, "I don't have to testify."

"He's right. He doesn't have to testify," Nielsen said.

Nielsen said Butler was upset when he did his evaluation because Butler wants a speedy trial. But when Nielsen explained to Butler the mental evaluations will help move the case forward, Butler became cooperative.

Nielsen said Butler's thoughts on God are more like religious views.

"He is putting the case in God's hands," Nielsen said. "I do not see this as a disillusion disorder, but a religious view."

Nielsen said when he asked Butler who should represent him in court, Butler replied, "No one is in better position to represent me than me," but he understands why he needs an attorney.

Contact reporter Loretta Park at 801-625-4252 or lpark@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @LorettaParkSE. Like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SELorettaPark.

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