New Trial Scheduled in Temple Killings, Alleged Vagina-Brander Enters Plea, and More

Welcome to Courthouse Update, a weekly rundown goings-on at the Maricopa County Superior Court.

This week, the third trial in the Temple killings case is scheduled, the alleged vagina-brander enters his plea, and more:

• New trial scheduled in Temple killings



A mistrial was declared in the retrial of Johnathan Doody, who's been accused of massacring nine people at a Buddhist temple more than 20 years ago. Now, a third trial will take place, thanks to the deadlocked jury in trial number two. Jury selection is scheduled for November 18, and opening statements are expected on December 4.

See also: Temple Massacre Retrial Ends in Mistrial

• Alleged vagina-brander pleads not-guilty



Christopher Lynn Jackson, of Chandler, pleaded not-guilty to an aggravated-assault charge. He's accused of branding his initials into his then-girlfriend's vagina while she was passed out. Jackson was later hit with a bestiality charge after police found an alleged video of Jackson and two women having sex with Jackson's dog, but the bestiality case is separate from the vagina-branding case.

See also: Christopher Jackson Branded His Initials Into His Girlfriend's Vagina, Police Say

• Attorney's DUI sentencing delayed



Aimee Butel, a Valley attorney and former Maricopa County medical examiner, previously pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an injury collision and a misdemeanor count of DUI after running over and killing a woman who was lying in a roadway, then driving away. According to a court spokeswoman, Judge Margaret Mahoney continued the sentencing of Aimee Butel because she needed more information from the attorneys in the case. Her new sentencing date is November 6.

See also: Valley Attorney Accused of Running Over Woman While Driving Drunk

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