Larry Butz, also known by his quirky pen name “Laurice Deauxnim,” is a character from the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series. He is a long-time friend of Phoenix Wright and a childhood acquaintance of Miles Edgeworth. Butz is known for his emotional and often unmotivated demeanor, frequently changing his jobs and relationships. His adventures and misadventures, including his shifting occupations and frequent breakups, play a recurring role in the series, adding both drama and humor to the storyline.

Trivia/Facts

• Larry Butz, sometimes known as “Laurice Deauxnim,” is Phoenix Wright’s oldest friend and his first client. He is also a childhood friend of Miles Edgeworth. Overemotional and unmotivated, he changes his occupation and clothes often. Butz frequently has different girlfriends, ending up being dumped each time.
• As a child, Butz became friends with Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth in elementary school. During a field trip, he bought a fake sword and pretended to fight with himself. He was absent from school once but still went to steal $38 of Edgeworth’s lunch money. This led to Wright being wrongly accused of the theft, but Edgeworth and Butz defended him.
• Butz claims to be a “bona-fide junior high school graduate,” suggesting he never finished high school. His first girlfriend was Cindy Stone, a model, whom he dated in 2016. She broke up with him and refused to see him again. Butz was later arrested for her murder but was found innocent.
• During the trial, it was revealed that Cindy Stone had many “sugar daddies” to support her lifestyle. Butz was initially sad about her death but realized she didn’t care for him. Wright showed Butz a clock he made for Stone, which was used as the murder weapon. Butz thanked Wright for his help but did not pay him for his defense.

Larry Butz in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

• In December, Butz took a job selling hot dogs at Gourd Lake to fund his relationship with a model named Kiyance. Kiyance made a “Samurai Dogs” sign for his stall and bought him a Santa Claus outfit. She left for Hawaii, and Butz rented a boat to search for an inflatable Steel Samurai. He witnessed a possible crime but did not realize its significance.
• When Wright and Maya Fey informed Butz that Miles Edgeworth was arrested for murder, Butz realized he might have seen the crime happen. His testimony helped Wright prove Edgeworth’s innocence. After the trial, Butz confessed to stealing the money from Edgeworth in fourth grade. Edgeworth knew this, but Wright was the only one who didn’t.
• Butz’s relationship with Kiyance ended, and history repeated itself with another girlfriend, Bennifer, who dumped him in Tibet. He then met Katty Tom, who also left him for Hollywood. Butz later worked as a part-time security guard at KB Security under Wendy Oldbag. He neglected his duties when Oldbag was on vacation.
• On the night of Kane Bullard’s murder, Butz left his security post after a fight with Donna’s boyfriend. He also found and returned Ron DeLite’s wallet to his wife, Desirée. Butz complained to Wright about his bad luck with women, even making uncomfortable comments about Maya’s cousin. He eventually provided Wright with crucial evidence.
• Wright found Butz in the security room and learned that he had left his post during the murder. Butz’s failure to monitor the panic buzzer contributed to Bullard’s murder. Butz had not checked the buzzer when it went off. He later gave Wright the buzzer data and agreed to help them with the case.

Larry Butz’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Phoenix Wright: Butz is Phoenix Wright’s oldest friend and his first client. Their friendship is marked by Butz’s frequent involvement in Wright’s cases, often leading to comical or problematic situations. Despite Butz’s flaws, their bond remains strong, with Wright often coming to Butz’s aid despite his constant romantic mishaps.
• Miles Edgeworth: Butz and Edgeworth share a long history as childhood friends. Their relationship is more strained compared to his friendship with Wright, especially since Butz’s actions sometimes create complications in Edgeworth’s legal career. Nevertheless, Butz’s testimony has been crucial in clearing Edgeworth of serious charges, showing that their old friendship still holds value.

Larry Butz in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

• Wendy Oldbag: Butz worked under Wendy Oldbag at KB Security. Their professional relationship is characterized by Butz’s lax work ethic and Oldbag’s strict oversight. Butz’s behavior often causes tension, particularly when he neglects his duties.
• Cindy Stone: Cindy was Butz’s first significant girlfriend, a model who was tragically murdered. Despite her eventual death, she seemed to have some level of fondness for Butz, as indicated by her carrying a heavy clock he made for her. However, Cindy was also involved with multiple “sugar daddies,” which Butz was oblivious to. This relationship remains one of his closest attempts at a serious commitment.
• Kiyance: Shortly after Cindy, Butz dated Kiyance, another model who moved to Paris, leaving Butz behind. Butz struggled to cope with her departure, leading him to work at a cheese shop to support her spending habits. Their relationship ended when Kiyance left for Paris.
• Bennifer: Following Kiyance, Butz romanced Bennifer, who rejected him after he followed her to Japan. Their relationship was short-lived, and he was left heartbroken once again.
• Katty Tom: In Japan, Butz met actress Katty Tom, but she chose Hollywood over him, resulting in another breakup. His infatuation with her did not lead to a lasting relationship.
  Pearl, Naomi, and Alexys: Butz had brief relationships with several other women, including Pearl, Naomi, and Alexys. His breakup with Alexys was particularly problematic, as she continued to blackmail him for money after their split. Miranda and Roxanna were also among his fleeting romances.

• Desirée DeLite: While working as a security guard, Butz flirted with the married Desirée DeLite, leading to complications when he was abruptly dumped by his previous girlfriend, Donna. His attempt to woo Desirée was ultimately unsuccessful.
  Iris and Franziska von Karma: Butz showed interest in Iris and Franziska von Karma, but both women were uninterested in him. His poorly written love letters to Iris were mistaken for blackmail, further complicating his romantic pursuits.
• Banjolina: After a brief relationship with Banjolina, which lasted less than a week, Butz’s romantic failures continued.
• Mindy and Miharu: Butz developed a crush on Mindy, the Pink Princess actress, but she showed no interest. His attempt to send a love letter to Wendy Oldbag, who was filling in for Mindy, was poorly worded and seemed stalker-like. He later dated Miharu and Lulu, but both relationships were short-lived.
• Ellen Wyatt: In a desperate attempt to find love, Butz tried to crash Ellen Wyatt’s wedding reception, which ended in failure. He helped Ellen briefly escape from police custody, earning her gratitude but no further romantic interest.