GUILTY MI - Amy Henslee, 30, Hartford Township, 24 Jan 2011 - #4

[jrb0124]

Some thoughts as I'm coming around to the opinion that JB might be found guilty of murder 1 on both counts:

If this jury finds that TH did not shoot AH in the trailer as claimed by JB, it is a certainty that they will find that JB is the one who shot AH.

If this jury finds that JB is the one who shot AH, its a certainty that they will find JB guilty of the first degree murder of both AH (2 shots) and TH. I don't think anyone believes that AH - who was suppossed to be back for a 10:00 call was killed AFTER TH, who was dropped off at the trailer at 10:00...and there is absolutely no reasonable scenario where AH was deliberately shot by JB and TH was then shot twice by JB in self-defense.

Following this train of logic, for the jury to return murder 1 on both counts, the only question they really need to answer is "Did TH shoot AH?"

What evidence is there that TH handled the shotgun that morning? prints? DNA? none.
***yet JB's DNA was on the shotgun - the only DNA on the shotgun

What evidence is there that AH was shot in the trailer? blood? DNA? none.
***yet TH and JB DNA/blood found in the trailer

What evidence is there that TH 'surprised' JB and AH? none.
***in fact, JB expected 2 people (not incl AH) to be at his trailer at or around 10:00...TH and Buddy.

The above questions are only in regard to the issue of whther TH surprised JB and AH in the trailer and then shot AH (twice).

Aside from everything else the jury will sort out - and there isn't too much more, if they find beyond a reasonable doubt that TH was not the one who shot AH, the rest of their findings kind of fall into place do they not?

 

[Palomine]

I think Beebe put the moves on Amy that day, she said she was going to tell and he killed her, unfortunately for Tonya she happened into the crime scene
What a waste of two people

 

[jrb0124]

I think Beebe put the moves on Amy that day, she said she was going to tell and he killed her, unfortunately for Tonya she happened into the crime scene
What a waste of two people

Very possible...and to flesh it out a little more how about this scenario:

AH has been sneaking off with JB to his trailer on occasion to smoke marijuana. No one else knows about this.

JB has a big crush on AH (remember JH said mentioned JB was infatuated with her), and imagines that he'll eventually get her to succumb...after all, in his mind, who couldn't resist this big bad cage fighting DJ?

So as offered above, he puts the moves on her this time - she freaks out and is repulsed. This is a big blow to his ego. Also, he's on something too - remember he was not arrested that day or tested for drugs. Instead of backing off he presses harder, AH threatens to tell her husband and/or others, demands to be taken home.

At this point JB realizes he has lost any chance whatsoever of ever consummating that day dream of his with AH, ruined their occasional get-togethers...this is it. Instead of suffering the embarrassment of the accusations to be leveled at him by the family, and with no chance to be with AH again he figures he'll soften the blow.

He's lost the friendship and any respect towards him from AH, will never see her again outside a forced social setting - maybe not that either if she tells. No point in her being around anymore if he cannot have her right? This way he doesn;t suffer both the loss of Ah and the respect of his family. After all, who will know? she has no cell - no pings to trace, no one knows she is out here, and I can make an alibi. No one saw me pick her up as far as i know...

JB shoots her, and as he is cleaning up...along comes TH.

 

[OldSteve]

Carolina Girl is right in that the pros didn't claim to know the motive...but they did throw a suggestion out there during closing (me paraphrasing Kaps):

"JB goes to the Henslee house to pickup AH (sex, drugs, some other pretense) lets hypothesize that as true...explains her leaving house in pajama bottoms and tennis shoes. They go westbound...I don't know exactly what happened, but something goes bad - argument disagreement, AH wants to go home - you know AH was assaulted (bruises and abrasions) nothing in JB's story to explain that. Somewhere along this morning she goes these bruises and abrasions...whether attempt to force sexual relationship on her, argument...any number of things to create this situation where the anger or fear of being reported to police causes him to grab his shotgun wherever it may have been, and he shoots AH, probably out near the trailer. Then TH comes along and discovers what he's done, says "no I am not going along with this"...he says "yes you are"...that's as reasonable a story as his."

Thanks for posting the above transcript.

Looks like IMO that prosecution made a good first degree murder case for TH because of the second shot to the back of her head....
In AH case, as mentioned in the above, is that enough for 1st deg. murder?

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Well, we will see what they have to say. Thank you all for the updates and pictures.

I still believe him. Boils down to a crime of passion, and the killings were the result of heat of the moment.

I dont believe a word that comes out of his mouth.

His story does not line up with the forensic evidence and forensic evidence does not lie.

imo

 

[jrb0124]

jury was dismissed at 7 p.m. Friday, they spent part of their 2 1/2 hours in deliberation reviewing materials in the courtroom. Prosecutor Juris Kaps had a mock-up of Beebe's camping trailer built to give some perspective on claims Beebe made about the womens' death. [LINK]

Deliberations will resume Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. [LINK]

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I think Beebe put the moves on Amy that day, she said she was going to tell and he killed her, unfortunately for Tonya she happened into the crime scene
What a waste of two people

I do too Palomine.

I don't even think Amy was killed in the rinky dink camper.
If she suffered two shotgun blast her DNA would have been everywhere in it. I think he beat her before he killed Amy.

Supposedly Bebee said Amy was sitting on the bed when shot? So Tonya would have been closer to the entrance door.

Then why wasn't Tonya body drug out of the camper first since she would be closest to the door? Amy's body was in the grave first and then Tonya's, right?

He lies.......IMO, he doesn't want to admit that he came on to Amy and she spurned him, imo, and he flew into a rage and decided he was going to murder her because he knew she would tell James. I think he knew Tonya was coming so he lay in wait for her and murdered her too.

I think he is one nasty beefy brute. Neither one of those women could have racked that shotgun, aimed and fired without him yanking it away. Both of them were small. Neither of them were any match for him. Tussled with him for the gun? Horsepoopy.

IMO

 

[jrb0124]

[LINK]

PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) - A jury has resumed deliberations in the double-murder trial of Junior Beebe Jr., accused of killing Amy Henslee and Tonya Howarth in January, then burying their bodies in a shallow grave on his family's property.​

 

[jrb0124]

As a reminder, Beebe is charged with 2 counts of open murder.

For each count the jury can return any one of these verdicts: 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, acquital.

Studies on deliberation time consistently show that length of voir dire and complexity of the case are two of the major factors influencing deliberation time to reach a verdict. Since juror selection went quickly, and this case is not too complex; I would be surprised if we don't have a verdict today.

 

[Palomine]

on wood tv now is penalty phase for serial killer Anthony Sowell
http://news.yahoo.com/serial-killer-anthony-sowell-apologizes-victims-families-211633351.html

 

[Palomine]

LeonHendrix Leon Hendrix
Court about to go on the record. Verdict has not been reached. Jury has questions that attorneys are answering.

 

[Palomine]

omg they believe Beebe's version!

CarlApple Carl Apple
by lisalaplanteFOX
Jury has questions seeking additional information about DNA evidence, description of Beebe trailer among other things.
7 minutes ago

Lisa LaPlante
lisalaplanteFOX Lisa LaPlante
“@CarlApple: Jury wants option of 'accessory to murder' charge. Judge says it's not an option.” #BeebeTrial #fox17

 

[jrb0124]

omg they believe Beebe's version!

CarlApple Carl Apple
by lisalaplanteFOX
Jury has questions seeking additional information about DNA evidence, description of Beebe trailer among other things.
7 minutes ago

Lisa LaPlante
lisalaplanteFOX Lisa LaPlante
“@CarlApple: Jury wants option of 'accessory to murder' charge. Judge says it's not an option.” #BeebeTrial #fox17

Hmmm....I doubt they want it for the TH count, maybe for the AH count? i.e. that their finding is JB may have "allowed" (passively consented/did nothing to stop it) TH to kill AH, then JB got rid of TH.

There is no way JB can be an accessory to TH murder, because if he was to the AH murder then there was no one left to be an accessory to.

I don't understand accessory at all though, as no one else had their DNA on the murder weapon except JB.

 

[~n/t~]

Hmmm....I doubt they want it for the TH count, maybe for the AH count? i.e. that their finding is JB may have "allowed" (passively consented) TH to kill AH, then JB got rid of TH.

There is no way JB can be an accessory to TH murder, because if he was to the AH murder then there was no one left to be an accessory to.

I don't understand accessory at all though, as no one else had their DNA on the murder weapon except JB.

Right and he admitted to killing her in self defense. :innocent:

I think they're hung up on AH's murder which doesn't surprise me.

 

[jrb0124]

Right and he admitted to killing her in self defense. :innocent:

I think they're hung up on AH's murder which doesn't surprise me.

Exactly.

 

[jrb0124]

As to the request for being able to consider "accessory to murder" as an option:

The question was one of several the jurors submitted to Hamre just before they were sent home Friday evening...It was put on the record Tuesday morning.
.
.
Hamre told the jury Tuesday morning that they cannot consider convicting Beebe of accessory to murder.​

...and the additional info requested:

the jury also asked Hamre for transcripts of testimony from Van Buren County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Evans, Michigan State Police DNA expert Catherine Meredith. They also asked for any photos of the interior of Beebe's trailer.​

[LINK]

 

[~n/t~]

As to the request for being able to consider "accessory to murder" as an option:

The question was one of several the jurors submitted to Hamre just before they were sent home Friday evening...It was put on the record Tuesday morning.
.
.
Hamre told the jury Tuesday morning that they cannot consider convicting Beebe of accessory to murder.​

...and the additional info requested:

the jury also asked Hamre for transcripts of testimony from Van Buren County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Evans, Michigan State Police DNA expert Catherine Meredith. They also asked for any photos of the interior of Beebe's trailer.​

[LINK]

Looks like he gained some weight in jail. Wish we had the transcripts available. I wonder why they want her DNA testimony. Anybody know what she testified to?

 

[jrb0124]

Looks like he gained some weight in jail. Wish we had the transcripts available. I wonder why they want her DNA testimony. Anybody know what she testified to?

this is a rough transcribe:

sample L10D analysis: 2 donors, major DNA matched TH.

she rec'd DNA samples of AH, JH, JB, TH.

pros: so we understand when we collect a sample and 2 donors, does that mean 2 people bled?
KM: not necessarily, other biological material could have contributed to sample for other donor.

(inaudible)

KM: concluded JB and JH excluded from DNA from 'other' donor, inconclusive as to AH

pros: next sample L11D, what is it?

KM: swab of entry doorway bottom corner, 2 donors - major DNA types matched TH, JB, JH excluded - inconclusive as to AH.

moving on to swab 12 (kitchen countertop)

KM: L12D bloodstain matches JB, TH & AH & JH excluded. No dating on stain, could have occurred weeks ago.

L13 - swab of kitchenette baseboard blood

KM: 2 donors associated - major DNA matched TH, JB & AH & JH excluded.

L14D blood (still kitchenette)

KM: matched TH, AH & JH excluded, no determination as to JB

L17 swab of right bottom corner kitchenette

KM: 2 donors, matched TH, JB cannot be excluded, AH & JH excluded.

L3D swab of shotgun grip

KM: match JB at 12 diff locations incl sex typing marker, TH & JH excluded from DNA typing, no conclusive on AH

pros: TH not a donor?

KM: correct

 

[jrb0124]

Off topic a little;

On the woodtv website one of the other stories under "latest news" was titled:

Meth lab found in hole near home

I swear, everytime I visit their site the words "meth lab" is somewhere on the front page.

 

[~n/t~]

Who is JH? James? If so, why would they look to see if there was a match to the DNA? He wasn't even there. Or am I totally off on who JH is? :waitasec: