Date: 07-03-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Rodney Tyrone Henry

Case Number: 4:19-cr-00580

Judge: James M. Moody Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Pulaski County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney's office in Little Rock

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Little Rock, Arkansas criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with murder while discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On November 12, 2018, at 5:22pm, Daryl Strickland, Jr. and Rodney Tyrone Henry knocked on the front door of Wise Buck Pawn Shop in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and asked if the store was still open. Wise Buck Pawn Shop was a federal firearms licensee, engaging in business that affected interstate commerce. The owner of the pawn shop, Brandon McHan, told Strickland and Henry through the locked front door that the store was closed for the night. Strickland and Henry then appeared to leave the area. McHan and his friend, Jason Booth, who were the only two in the store, continued closing. At approximately 5:30pm, McHan and Booth exited the front door of the pawn shop to start their vehicles because it was cold. Booth put his firearm in his car, and both went back inside the store. At 5:34pm, Strickland and Henry entered the threshold of the pawn shop, and Strickland fired several gunshots, striking both McHan and Booth multiple times. Strickland and Henry then retreated from the entrance of the store. Two minutes later, Strickland and Henry both returned to the front door of the pawn shop, and Strickland began shooting into the pawn shop. When McHan and Booth fired back, Strickland retreated. After Strickland retreated, Henry fired multiple gunshots into the pawn shop. Strickland then returned to the doorway of the pawn shop and fired more gunshots inside. Strickland and Henry then left the scene.

Approximately an hour later, Strickland and Henry entered the Alon gas station at 2800 South Olive Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and held the store clerk at gun point. Henry, while pointing a firearm at the store clerk, went behind the counter and emptied the cash register. Strickland remained at the front of the counter, also holding the clerk at gunpoint. In addition to $800, Henry stole the store clerk's firearm.

Brandon McHan died later that night. McHan's autopsy revealed three gunshot wounds, which caused his death. The first bullet entered his right abdomen and exited his back. The second bullet entered his
right thigh and exited his right hip. A third [gunshot] was a through-and-through wound to the right lower leg. Booth, who was near the door when Strickland initially opened fire into the pawn shop, was shot in the face near the chin area, and the bullet exited through his neck. Booth was also shot in the left hand.

United States v. Henry, 23-2542, 23-2554 (8th Cir. Jul 02, 2024)

18:924(c) and 18:924(j)(1) Murder while Discharging a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence

Outcome: LIFE imprisonment; Five (5) years supervised release; $100 special penalty assessment

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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