Hey, who'd you call? Did you call us boss? Let me see your hands man. Put your hands up for us. >> hands up. Keep them up. >> Stand on up for me. Stand up. Just stand up for me. All right. Stand up for me. Come on. Walk down for me. All right. All right. Walk to this officer in front of you. Walk. Keep your hands up, okay? >> You got your gun drawn? >> Yep. >> All right. Turn around. Turn around. >> There you go. Go down on your left knee, your right knee. There you go. >> Hands behind your back. Behind your back. >> Behind your back. >> There you go. >> Palms together. Like you're praying. >> Who's in the house, boss? >> Uh she's in there. >> Okay. >> And uh and my little dog. >> And what? >> Your dog? Is your dog going to bite us? >> No, he's friendly. >> Where's the weapon? >> Just go ahead. Put them in the car. >> All right. Get him up. >> Go ahead. Stand up. Yep. >> All right. We got a >> Stand him up. >> We got a victim? >> We don't know yet. >> Call the police. Call the police. Make yourself known. Call the police. >> Call the police. Make yourself known. Anybody else in here, make yourself known. They got a son that lives here too. Yeah. And he's uh You come downstairs. >> Yep. I'm on I'm on there. >> Check the basement. >> Anybody here for the medics? >> Yeah. >> Okay. What we got? >> She's 19. Okay. She's 19. >> Okay. Hey um Hey good. Dispatch, is is that okay? >> You don't think it has yet? >> No. >> What's your head when you get in? I'm going to put my hand up there just in case. Good. Step in. You got it. I got you. And lean forward a little bit. Lean your head forward. There you go. All right. Let me slide in. You got him? >> Yep. >> Um to my wallet is in my um bedroom drawer and um I've been out of the care weapon and everything, man. The police been here a couple of times. >> Go ahead. Put your Put your elbow in there so it can show the door. >> Yeah. >> By the time Detective sat Stewart Butler down for questioning, a woman was dead and a quiet neighborhood had become the scene of a homicide. But what happened inside that house that night? To understand how it all ended with Butler in handcuffs, we need to go back several hours earlier. Before the gunshot, before the sirens, there was a phone call. A call from Marshelle Freeman at 6:24 that evening. At the time, it seemed like just another domestic dispute. But later, that call would raise troubling questions about whether this tragedy could have been prevented. >> Hi. How are you? Hey, listen. There There is a gentleman and and he I I am inside with firing a a firearm. And he he fired me with the firearm. So, I just asked you he he's sick and I I don't get it. I I don't know. He's rushed me and died. He's from your side of the bed, but we need to get this All I ask is that you get the firearm. >> All right. Hi, honey. >> Did you call here? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. I'm here. Okay, I'll call you back. >> He has cancer. >> Okay. >> He has cancer. >> Okay. >> And he's been really mean. >> Okay, got you. >> And I know cuz I buried my husband 26 years ago with cancer. >> Okay. >> As uh anyway, this episode today I've been all kind of problems cuz you see the TV don't work. He can't afford all the the Wi-Fi and everything. And he said, "This is This is what I got." He says to me, he said, "Yes, I'm a liar. I haven't been a liar. And I haven't been a thief. And you can't hurt me cuz I'm already dead." And he lunged for the pillow on the right side of his bed. And I know he has a firearm. >> Oh, got you. Okay. >> And all I need I I don't want to die at his hand, but I need a [ __ ] for my own purpose. >> Right. >> I need that gun. I don't have nowhere else to go. If I did, I would. >> Got you. Have you talked to him since? What's his name? >> Stewart. >> Stewart, okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> I said he did He told me he's like, "I did tell her you can't hurt her cuz she would He said they were arguing. And he said, "There's nothing There's nothing she can say that can hurt me. I'm already dead. He's a king." He's like, "I I'm going to die of cancer, but he's like, "I'm on limited time." He's like, "I'm not going to let her bother me." And I'm like, "I get that, you know, so." >> Just leave the dead alone. >> All right. Yeah, guys in there He was just in his bedroom watching TV with his puppy. He was like he He was cool as [ __ ] Yeah, like she's uh the other roommates I don't think they're >> I don't think they're in the apartment. >> Yeah, and once she wants him to she wants him to take it down. >> She's telling me that he was afraid of guns. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's just like, "No, we're not doing that." He's ex-military, 22 years retired. Like I said, so is his CCW. Most law-abiding person. He's got all this paperwork out there for like any stuff like that. And he has this all He's so organized. Has his medicine all set up. I'm just like, shit's not going to Yeah. Very. When I first walked in, I was getting those vibes. >> I've been just >> How'd your haul go? >> What's that, sir? >> It's Stewart. That's Go on, Mr. Butler. >> I'm good, officer. I need you to go on and do a kind of destroy [ __ ] >> What's that? >> I need you to go on and do a kind of destroy [ __ ] >> She's in your bedroom? >> Yeah, she came in my bedroom and tried to destroy [ __ ] She broke my door. >> Okay. Let's talk to her. >> what I mean? This is going to make no sense. You know what I mean? >> Stewart, are you serious? >> You know what I mean? >> Why are you bothering me, you? Why are you >> What are you looking for, man? What are you LOOKING FOR, MAN? >> WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? >> MARSHA, HEY. HEY. All right, now it's time for me to be the police, okay? So, you need to listen. Was you in his room going through his stuff? >> I was in my room. My clothes in there. >> Okay. Do not be bothering him. Don't make me come out here again, okay? I'm going to hate to have to arrest someone tonight, okay? So, leave him alone. You can't take his fire off. >> Can you Can you tell him to leave me alone? >> Sure. I will absolutely do that. I don't think I'm going to have a problem, but I'll gladly do that. >> Hours passed, but the tension inside the house hadn't gone away. Then at 9:16 p.m., it was Stewart Butler who called 911. Frustrated and complaining about Freeman's behavior, he asked police to return to the home. Officers responded once again. >> Take your more, you know, I'm trying to kind of get I'm being provoked. And and ain't nobody going to Ain't nobody going to provoke me. My It's not >> provoking you? >> This is a crazy female, you know, the police already been out today and she called them. You know what I mean? I've been there at the basketball game. >> And is she there right now? >> Yes, she is, ma'am. >> He going to put me in the and I'm trying I don't know how to unhook that TV. >> Okay. So, you're trying to leave? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, what's the problem with what's So, you want to leave? Sounds like you two are not getting along. I think leaving would be a good idea. >> Right. That's a >> So, what's what's holding you back, dear? >> What's holding me back is I'm not going to leave what I just purchased. >> What did you just purchase? >> That TV that television that he just unhooked. >> Okay. >> Got to have it been able to watch. >> Got you. >> Okay. And then I I was in there because my clothes are in there as well as his clothes are in there. And so, I'm in there trying to get the clothes where he does what he needs to get the clothes. >> Well, it sounds like you guys are arguing tonight. >> No, I'm not arguing with anybody. >> Well, there's there's tension or something going on right >> No, okay. Well, I okay. Well, but okay, but that has nothing to do with it. I don't have anything to argue about. >> What are you going to do with the TV tonight? >> I'm I'm going to put it in my car. >> And what are you going to do with it tonight? >> I'm going to put it in my car. >> You're going to leave it there? >> It absolutely. I bought it. He's not going to have it. >> Is it on like a bracket attached to the wall? >> No, honey. He pulled the I don't know how he did it. He he he pulled the cable off of it, so I can't watch it. So, there's a some type of cord. I didn't want to pull it out to damage the cable. >> All I wanted What's that, sir? >> All I wanted my phone. >> Okay. >> I got a call, you know, and next you know, my phone fell. >> Okay. So, you want my phone? >> Let's see it. My God. All I want I want to get my television. I was in the because my clothes >> Yeah, yeah. You guys are telling us like two completely different stories. >> I I understand. >> Do you know where his phone's at? >> You You want to go see? Cuz my clothes are in the car. >> He's worried about his phone. Do you know where that's at? >> I I don't know where his phone is at. I just barely know where mine is. >> Why would he be accusing you of taking >> Why would the Why is the world the way it is? I don't know. All I want to do is put my my television in my car. And my car cuz I just bought it. Okay, and then my clothes are in there. So, obviously I have to go in there to get them. >> So, if you So, what do you need to leave tonight? You probably don't need a TV. >> Yes, I do cuz I bought it. Yes, I do. >> When are you coming back? What are you doing? >> But listen. >> So, you're moving out for good, right? Right now? >> No, hopefully if I get that pleasure. >> The run history here says differently. We've been here a lot over issues like this, okay? So, >> There's nothing I can >> What can we do to resolve the issue tonight? >> could do if you know how to answer that question. I could put it in my car. And I could I could sit at the park someday I'm willing to wait for somebody to get it while I get a bag full of clothes. And and I'm I'm I'm about my dad doing that. That's all I'm asking you to do. So, you keep coming here and he acting like he he's he's the victim. He's not the victim. I didn't not play that TV. The TV was running before he got here. >> According to the family's lawsuit, Butler had previously been ordered to surrender his firearm. Yet, despite multiple interactions with police that day, the gun remained in his possession. Hours later, that same weapon would become central to a deadly shooting. After Freeman was found dead inside the home, Butler was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters where detectives began asking questions about what had happened that night. >> Uh multiple myeloma. >> Okay, that's a cancer but the cancer of >> uh blood. >> Oh, oh. >> It's It's terminal. I mean, it's no cure for it. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. When did you find out about that? >> Uh 2018. It was like uh I bought I bought my house in 2000 4. You know, I met her 2006. >> Okay. So, you guys been together >> It wasn't a relationship. What happened was she worked at the restaurant that I worked and so I was taking her home because she couldn't get a ride from the bus or out of creek. You know, so I said, "I can be home." And about 2 3 days later she got evicted so I said, "Well, she ain't got nowhere to go." And ever since then she been staying with me, her and kids and everything like that, you know what I mean? No rent, no nothing, no nothing, you know, yeah. I got you. >> Okay. So, you have a place to live. >> Right. A roof over your head. >> Yeah. >> Water, gas, electric, you know what I mean? I never told you to pay anything. You know, but you know, hey, all this present and present and present, man, I'm trying to avoid You know what I mean? Yes, I had an incident I had an incident with my neighbor, man, for I thought gun cuz he said, "Well, I'm going to go out and get my gun." And I went out I was getting mine and I fired it in the ground. And I went to court and everything it was dismissed. I know y'all got on file everything. >> When was that? I I had a had a chance to talk to you. >> I don't know what the dates were but I still the papers at the house. As a matter of fact, I showed the officer today the papers. You know, cuz officer came out twice today and again yet a day ago. You know what I mean? >> All over this stuff. >> All over this week. This this one a week. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. This one a week. You know what I mean? >> And that was over everything that was going on with with the car and stuff. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, bring me up to today. >> Up to today? You know, the same two officers came out. You know what I mean? And then after everything was cool, then they There were three of them. They walked to their car. She poked me in the head. Poked me in the head. I went out to my porch. I said, "Officer, please come back in here." She acting crazy. You know what I mean? >> She told the officers she poked you in the head. Now, this was the first time or second time? >> This was the second time cuz they were going to their um >> To their car. >> cruisers. Yeah. And I called them for they got in the Officer, please come back, please. You know what I mean? And the officer said, "Ma'am, will you stay in your area?" And And by that time, she had a TV. She had took my She had took my um star thing off the TV. You know what I mean? Off my TV in the bedroom. You know what I mean? Come out I stole in the back. What? You know what I mean? I mean, acting crazy. Put You know what I mean? I go in there, her TV sitting on the floor. 55, man. You know what I mean? Like that. You know what I mean? And then she come in the room. I I I closed my door cuz I'm watching the the NCAA games. You know, I closed my door. Dogging it with me. Let me She come busting in there. Aggravating. Aggravating. Itching and itching and itching, and itching. You know what I mean? I said, "Marty, come on now. Please stop." You know what I mean? Then I looked at the one on my window right there. I got one I want off the police officer. Please come back in here, please. You know what I mean? Can you call the police? She said, "Man, no, it was three of them." She said, "You you stay in your room. You stay in your room." And they watched her put her TV in her car. Nothing wrong with anything like that. I thought everything was cool. You know, just just like I'm laying down on this bed here. >> So close to the wall, not the >> Yeah, close to the wall. >> Okay. >> Yeah, on my side. On this side. No, no, no, no. >> So you're sitting up here watching the guest. >> Watching the guest. >> She's behind you. >> She's on this side. You know what I mean? >> She's sitting on the edge of the bed by the door, messing with you, kicking you in the head. >> Kind of behind you and stuff, and >> Yeah, something like this. She's right there. >> Okay. >> I'm like this. >> So she's she's got all kinds of stuff coming at her now. Calling you all kinds of a liar and all this stuff. >> You don't believe it. >> And she's poking at you. What happens? Kind of take me through what happened. >> After the kick, you know what I mean? >> Where did she kick you? >> Uh right here. >> On the left side? >> Yeah. And like I said, I was like this here. And then I turned like this. I said, "Come on now, what are you doing?" You know, cuz she was on this side of the bed. You know, I said, "What are you doing?" And she had her shoes on. You know what I mean? And I guess I just reached over, man. I said, "Like this." And >> You reached over and got the gun? >> Yeah. >> Was she saying anything to you when you got the gun? >> No, sir. >> What did you do then? >> So, I didn't get the gun shot until she fell down on the bed. You know what I mean? And so >> How many times did the gun get fired? >> Just one. >> Just the one time? >> And I didn't have my phone out the wet phone there. So, I went to the neighbors house and banging his bean bag and said, "Can you call police?" Said they got him shot. I don't know who I killed there. >> They had an opportunity several opportunities to remove her, to remove him, to remove the firearm. And if they had just one of them had spoken up, just one of them, she would still be here. She would still be here. >> Stewart Butler was initially charged with murder following the shooting death of Marshelle Freeman. He later accepted a plea deal pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and receiving a prison sentence of approximately 14 to 19 and 1/2 years. But, the criminal case was only part of the story. In 2026, Freeman's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the officers who responded to the home that night alleging they ignored clear warning signs and failed to intervene despite repeated calls for help. While Butler's fate has been decided in court, the civil case continues leaving a larger question unanswered. Could this tragedy have been prevented?