Bryson Butterfly, a native American Indian, had ridden 58 winners of more than £1.5million in his short career up to his arrest in April 2023
A rising star jockey has been jailed for 20 years after being involved in the killing of a high school student. Bryson Butterfly, a native American Indian raised on a reservation in Washington State, in the US, was making a name for himself in the saddle at tracks across Maryland, West Virginia and Philadelphia.
In 2023 he was arrested with two others in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Elias Cieslak who was shot dead in Baltimore County. Butterfly pleaded guilty in 2024 to a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and agreed to testify against two other defendances in the case, according thebanner.com .
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The website reported that Butterfly admitted he had arranged to buy marijuana from the victim, knowing two individuals, Marcus Powell and David Lofton, planned to ambush and rob him. Butterfly had previously bought marijuana from Cieslak.
Cieslak died after he was hit in the hand and chest by a single gunshot fired by Powell.
Powell pleaded guilty and received a life sentence, with 40 years suspended, while Lofton’s case went to trial after which he was also sentenced to life with 50 years suspended. He has lodged an appeal.
Butterfly, wearing an orange jump suit with his hands shackled, told the court he took part because he felt threatened by Powell, who arrived at his house with a gun.
He cried as he addressed the court, packed with members of the victim’s family. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Words can’t explain.”
Judge Stacy Mayer said she believed Butterfly was contrite but issued the custodial sentence that prosecutors were seeking.
“It’s hard to see someone with so much promise gamble it away, as happened in this case,” she said.
She said he had to be held accountable for involving Cieslak. “That’s not something this court would ever ignore,” she said.
