No war of words - Butler seeks peace, while wife defends son Kyle
Published:Thursday | December 3, 2020 | 12:23 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Sophia Smith Butler has jumped to the defense of her son Kyle after he accused his father, Craig Butler, of abuse and assault. However, attorney Christopher Townsend, who is representing Craig Butler, the founder and coach of Phoenix Academy, says his client will not engage in a war of words and is focused on settling the differences with his family.
Kyle and his mother have taken to social media in recent days, accusing Butler of long-term abuse, with the national Under-23 midfielder posting several messages and pictures to Twitter on Monday, following an alleged physical altercation between him and his father during a training session at Mona High school.
The 22-year-old, who also painted a picture of continued emotional and physical pain to himself and his mother, posted images of a deep cut to an arm, which he suggested was caused by Butler during the altercation. Kyle has not made himself available for further comment.
Meanwhile, Butler has since denied the allegations, and Townsend maintains that his client is focused on repairing the rift in a private manner.
“Mr (Craig) Butler is really not interested in bandying about his personal business in the media. His son has taken to the media, and the mother of his son has taken to the media, but he does not wish to join them there. He is still more worried about his son than anything else,” Townsend told The Gleaner.
“He (Butler) is caught up about the allegations. Allegations, which he maintains are not true. But the fact that the allegations have been made says something is seriously wrong, and he wants to address those issues. That is what responsible parenting is about,” Townsend continued. “Responsible parenting is not about going on Twitter and Instagram and sending messages. Responsible parenting is getting to the root of the matter and having the kind of concern for your child and start to deal with it.”
“This is his son, and you cannot wage war against your son, and this is why he is silent. This is his child he raised from birth and tried to give everything. He recognises tha his child is in trouble and is trying to help but is being barred from helping his child,” Townsend further stated.
The older Butler has reported the incident to the police, however, Townsend noted that he has no intention of taking the matter further.
MOTHER SUPPORTING SON
Meanwhile, Smith Brown, who has been separated from Butler for over a decade, came out in support of her son, Kyle, on social media yesterday, stating: “I stand with my son and support him 100% in the statements he has made. The days of slavery are done and over ... people owning other people are done and over. Our creator does not even force us to worship him, he gives us free will, yet mere creatures of dust believe they should demand people to bow at their feet and be subjected to abuse, robbing them of their human rights and dignity.”
The post continued: “The damage that one narcissistic personality can do to the lives of others is literally unimaginable. Explaining narcissistic abuse to someone who has never experienced it is like trying to explain colour to the blind.”
Butler is also the adoptive father and manager for Jamaica’s Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey. Bailey has so far declined comment on the matter.