Editor,
On Feb. 19, 2016, under the cover of darkness while hiding in the brush, Chris Butler took the life of Catlin Keck and was charged with First Degree murder. We lost our son, brother and friend simply because he drove up the wrong road, and Eureka Springs is lesser for it. Catlin was 30 years, four months and 17 days old.
Catlin moved to Eureka Springs when he was eight. He was rather awkward and goofy. We often compared him to the iconic Howdy Doody. The physical resemblance was indubitable!
By the time Catlin was seven, he had been mauled by a dog, snakebit, and had a hunk taken out of his hiney by the family house cat, all without provocation. As he grew older he made peace with the animal kingdom and developed a close friendship with the Smith family and spent a great deal of time at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
By high school, Catlin had grown tall and quite popular. He played basketball for the Highlanders and graduated with the class of 2004. After high school he took a job at the Basin Park Hotel and then the Crescent. He became lifelong friends with co-workers and guests.
During the spring and summer he could easily be picked out on the Kings River – he was the guy in the canoe with Gunthor, his 200-lb. English Mastiff.
Catlin had no bigotry or malice in his heart, he didn’t care what your race, religion, sexual preference or politics were. If you were benevolent and true, he accepted you.
Catlin did not deserve to die on that road, but now he deserves justice.
Chris Butler’s attorney has asked for a “suppression of evidence” hearing, Oct. 27 at the Eureka Springs Courthouse, 9 a.m. Our community has lost a young man whose roots were firmly planted here. He had so much to offer.
Brian Elliott and Mary Banks