Army NCO, Jordan Henning, has been convicted of killing his wife, Sargent 1st Class Ashley Henning, in their home on June 26, 2023. He was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the jury found him guilty of a lesser charge: manslaughter. Shortly after, he was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The Fatal Shooting
On June 26, 2023, the day they celebrated Ashley Henning’s birthday, she was gunned down in her kitchen by Jordan Henning. They hosted friends and neighbors in the house and shortly after they left, an argument broke out. According to prosecutors, Jordan became enraged. He screamed at his wife and berated her children. During the chaos, one of Ashley’s sons ran to a neighbor for help. When the neighbor came onto the scene, Jordan threatened them
In the video shown to the jury, Jordan Henning is seen pointing a gun at his wife while she sits in a chair pleading for him to put the gun down. He fires off one shot and then grabs another magazine before firing several more times as she attempts to flee. After he fired the fatal shot, he spit on her body before turning around and running away. The neighbor from earlier came back after hearing gunshots and witnessed Jordan getting into his car and speeding away.
Trial Highlights
Jordan Henning’s trial began on March 12, 2025, and lasted six days, concluding on March 20. Opening statements were heard from Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Eric Carr and Defense Attorney Robert Eggert. The prosecution argued the home security footage of the shooting was proof enough that Henning committed cold-blooded murder. The defense did not deny he murdered his wife; however, they did deny he was a murderer. They argued he was abused for years and finally broke.
On day 2 of the trial, witnesses began to take the stand including Henning’s 13-year-old daughter. She testified to the events that transpired the night her mother was murdered. The judge prevented her from testifying to the alleged abuse prosecutor Eric Carr claimed she disclosed to him just hours before she took the stand. A married couple, close friends to Ashley, also took the stand stating they did not see any abuse, but only a certain disconnect in the marriage. They never thought Jordan Henning would have been a danger to Ashley.
Jimmy Watts took the stand for a few days since he was the neighbor who tried to intervene during the incident. He testified to what he witnessed and the verbal altercation he encountered with Jordan. He also claimed Jordan Henning has a “top 10 kill list” which included people whom he “deemed a threat or had supplies he could use” if an apocalypse were to happen.
On day 4, Jordan Henning took the stand, recalling events he remembered and apologizing for his actions. He then proceeded to discuss the domestic violence he endured and what led to the shooting. In his defense, he does not recall shooting his wife and seems remorseful. However, that does not take away the fact he is a murderer. Whether his ‘military instincts’ kicked in or not, he shot his wife far beyond self-defense. He intended to kill her at that moment and he succeeded.
Final Thoughts
The closing arguments began on March 20, 2025. After the verdict was delivered, Ashley Henning’s cousin, Chief John Williams, spoke his mind. He called the jurors ‘cowards’ and said this was ‘unthinkable, unspeakable’ justice. Williams is rightfully distraught and incredibly emotional over the death of Ashley, but there is a time and place for everything. Judge Larry Ashlock responded he could not speak that way to his jurors and he may not like the process, but this is how it is.
