Ex-Salem Cop Appeals Indecent Assault Conviction

SALEM, MA — A three judge, Massachusetts Appeals Court panel heard oral arguments Tuesday in the appeal of a former Salem police officer. Brian Butler was convicted last year of indecent assault and not guilty of rape of a man who had been placed into protective custody after having too much to drink on Halloween 2016. He is currently serving a 3.5- to 5-year prison sentence.

According to the Salem News, which first reported this story, an attorney for Butler argued that the booking room video presented as evidence at trial "makes it clear that a person could have (mistaken) that there was consent." Prosecutors maintain Butler's victim was unable to give consent in such a "coercive environment."

Previously on Patch: Former Salem Police Officer Gets Prison Time For Indecent Assault