Madison County prosecutors drop drug murder case

EDWARDSVILLE • Madison County prosecutors on Thursday dropped a drug-induced murder case in response to a judge's decision in a similar case.   

Adam C. Butler, of St. Louis, will no longer be pursued on charges alleging he delivered heroin that caused the death of 30 year-old Joshua P. Rogers, who was found dead at a Godfrey Motel. 

Prosecutors said they are reviewing all drug-induced murder cases following a decision last week by Associate Judge James Hackett to end a trial and free defendant Taylor Kennedy.  Hackett said the homicide statute requires a drug delivery within the state. Evidence against Kennedy suggested that heroin was purchased and transferred in Missouri. Hackett acquitted Kennedy and sent the jury home before the defense presented any evidence.

The impact of the decision caused prosecutors to dismiss the charges against Butler, who was charged in July along with two others.  Prosecutors said they are also reviewing the cases of the other two. 

"All evidence in this case is that delivery of heroin from Adam Butler occurred entirely in the State of Missouri," wrote Assistant State's Attorney Susan A. Jensen.

Rogers was found dead at the Redwood Motel in Godfrey on May 10, 2011.

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