Alleged carjacker had violent past

Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999 | 9:14 a.m.

Despite a lengthy criminal history, the man who allegedly caused a deadly carjacking last week served just one year in jail.

Jeremy Butler served that time for stabbing his ex-girlfriend in the neck two years ago.

Court records show that Butler and an acquaintance stormed into his ex-girlfriend's apartment, held the young woman down and then took turns stabbing her in the neck.

The woman survived but was unwilling to testify against Butler on attempted murder charges. As result, he was able to plead to lesser charges and only served one year in jail.

"It looks like we got the best we could possibly get in regards to public protection," said District Attorney Stewart Bell. "Obviously it wasn't enough, but it wasn't because of a lack of diligence. He wasn't a guy we didn't have earmarked for prosecution. We just didn't have enough (evidence.)"

Butler also had at least 18 "contacts" with police in Henderson, Las Vegas and Boulder City. The details of those contacts are not accessible because Butler was a juvenile when they occurred.

Butler died Friday at the age of 20 after police say he and 19-year-old Randy Goodrick carjacked a BMW in Las Vegas. Both were shot by the car's owner after he wrestled a shotgun away from one of his assailants and fired at the two as they sped off in his car.

The pair then ran a red light, hit a motorcyclist, 41-year-old Phillip Gastineau, and plowed into a light pole. Butler and Gastineau and died at the scene.

Goodrick is charged with two counts of murder, robbery, attempted kidnapping and auto theft in connection with the attack.

Police also charged Jamie Lyn Aghas, 18, with two counts of murder and robbery with a deadly weapon in connection with the carjacking.

Police say they uncovered evidence indicating the young woman helped Butler and Goodrick get into the gated community where the BMW's owner lives. Aghas also played a role in obtaining the shotgun used in the crime, police said.