Stephanie Clark pleads guilty to first-degree manslaughter

Stephanie Louise Clark, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of first-degree manslaughter for intentionally causing the death of Donjuan Butler during an altercation in 2020.

The facts of the case indicate that Ms. Clark suffered intimate partner violence at Mr. Butler’s hands. This resolution acknowledges both her role in causing his death and the context in which it occurred. It will result in Ms. Clark being prohibited from possessing a firearm in the future.

The length of the sentence will be between 74 and 103 months, with the precise duration to be decided by the court at sentencing.

“This was an extraordinarily complicated case with intimate partner violence at its core.” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “It occurred in a terrible set of circumstances and Ms. Clark has taken accountability for her role. Today’s resolution reflects the recognition that while Ms. Clark’s actions exceeded what the law allows for self-defense, she had just been violently assaulted and threatened by Mr. Butler.”

609.20 Manslaughter in the First Degree

Subd. (1) intentionally causes the death of another person in the heat of passion provoked by such words or acts of another as would provoke a person of ordinary self-control under like circumstances, provided that the crying of a child does not constitute provocation;

The length of the sentence will be argued at the sentencing hearing, currently scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026.

Case Number: 27-CR-20-6206

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