LOS ANGELES – Professional boxer James Butler Jr. was charged today with murder and arson in connection with last week’s fatal beating of a freelance sportswriter at the victim’s Hollywood apartment, the District Attorney’s office announced.
Butler, 31, known professionally as “The Harlem Hammer,” was scheduled to be arraigned after 1:30 p.m. today in Los Angeles Superior Court. He has been in custody since his arrest on Wednesday.
Hammer is charged in case No. BA 273158 with one count each of murder and arson of the victim’s apartment, which police believe was set afire after 29-year-old Sam Kellerman was bludgeoned to death with a hammer. The complaint alleged the victim used a hammer to commit the killing. Bail was recommended at $1.25 million.
Kellerman, who authorities said was the brother of Fox sportscaster Max Kellerman, was slain at this apartment on North Vista Street in Hollywood on Oct. 12, according to the complaint. The arson count alleged the fire was set between the time Kellerman was killed and when his body was found in his apartment on Oct. 17, according to the complaint.
The victim had been bludgeoned around the head and the hammer believed to be the murder weapon was found not far from the body, authorities said.
Police said earlier this week that the victim’s 1993 Cadillac Seville was missing. Police also announced that Butler had stayed at Kellerman’s apartment.
Authorities said the car was discovered parked near UCLA on Wednesday. Further investigation led to Butler’s arrest by LAPD homicide detectives that day.
If convicted, Butler faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The case has not yet been assigned to a prosecutor. It was filed by Deputy District Attorney Patricia Wilkinson, assistant head of the Central Complaints Division.
Jesus Christ! One wonders where he got his ring handle from. Anyone know what has happened since has it gone to court yet?
