FORT SMITH (KFSM) – A Fort Smith man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend was officially charged today in Sebastian County, according to a news release from Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue.
Douglas D. True appeared in court on Monday (July 28) before Judge James Cox, where he was charged with two counts of capital murder, the release states.
One count was for the deceased girlfriend, 22-year-old Briana Butler, and the other count was for her unborn child, according to officials.
No bond was requested for the defendant because he was charged with capital murder, the release states.
Shue has not made a final decision as to whether or not he will seek the death penalty. Factors being considered in that decision include:
- Sufficiency of the evidence linking the defendant to the offense
- Seriousness of the offense
- The Defendant’s culpability
- Aggravating circumstances
- Mitigating circumstances
- Potential victim impact evidence
True was arrested on July 20 after he called police and allowed them to search his home. There, they found the body of Butler, along with a sleeping two-year-old, who suffered minor injuries to her face.
