Fire captain accused of rape, abuse; but why didn't the victim call 911?



MILWAUKEE -- Why didn't the victim call 911? That was one of the key questions on the second day of the trial for Milwaukee Fire Department Captain Leon Butts, accused of strangling, raping and abusing his girlfriend.

Butts is facing three felonies and two misdemeanors for allegedly battering and sexually assaulting his girlfriend from 2015 through 2017.

For the second straight day, the victim took the stand. She is a Milwaukee police officer. She testified that on April 23, 2017, Butts strangled her in an argument over infidelity -- and threatened to kill her.

Leon Butts



In court on Wednesday, July 18, the defense asked why the victim never called 911.

"Because of what the department did to me regarding my first report. I do not trust the Milwaukee Police Department, even though I am a member," the woman said.

The victim said she felt a supervisor had blown off a previous report of abuse that she had made about a different person.

The fire captain's domestic abuse trial will resume on Thursday.