The murder trial of Kentucky v. Jordan Henning began with opening statements today. Jordan Henning, an Army NCO, has been accused and charged with the murder of his military wife, Ashley Henning, who was a high-ranking officer. Ashley was gunned down on June 26, 2023, by her husband in their family home in Rineyville, Kentucky, after celebrating her birthday.
The Fatal Shooting
As soon as Ashley’s friends left the Henning home, Jordan allegedly went into a blind rage. He was screaming at Ashley and her kids. There is video surveillance inside their house that shows the altercation taking place. Ashley can be seen sitting in a chair pleading for her life as her husband shoots her. Eventually, she gets up to run, but he makes his way over to her, standing over her shooting once more. He grabs another magazine to make one final shot. Following the fatal gunshot, he spits on her body as he walks away.
Murder Trial Opening Statements
Eric Carr, the prosecutor in the murder trial, made a brief opening statement describing the events that occurred on the home surveillance footage. He explains to the jury that they will see the murder clear as day. The video will be hard for them to watch, but it is necessary in this case as it proves he murdered in cold blood. This might not have been premeditated, but it is animalistic.
Jordan’s defense attorney, Robert Eggert, followed the prosecution’s opening statement with his own. He starts his statement explaining how outstanding a soldier Jordan Henning was. Eggert uses Jordan’s military history as a defense to explain how he “broke”. They claim he was physically and mentally abused during his marriage and it came to a head the day he murdered his wife. Jordan’s version of events is that he reached out to graze Ashley’s cheek and in response she squeezed his genitals.
The defense cannot deny that Jordan is guilty of murder because he is shown on video with a gun in his hand pointing it at his wife. However, they think he should be convicted of a lesser crime because he is “not a murderer, he is not a criminal, he broke.” Eggert continues explaining who Jordan is, describing his academic and work history. He tries to show the jury Jordan’s humanity because his actions show otherwise. He has his work cut out for him in this murder trial.
Thoughts on Trial
Ashley Henning’s death was horrific and the defense is trying to villainize the victim. Whether or not the claims the defense makes are factual, they are going about it the wrong way. They rave about his excellent military background, his bravery in combat, but not how his service has affected him. His breaking point claim might be more believable if he has been diagnosed with a reactive disorder due to his service in the military. But it can also be frowned upon for military members to receive mental health treatment while active duty, so who knows?
It would be interesting to see if they allow Jordan to testify on his behalf in the murder trial. His defense team is painting him as a victim, and maybe he was mentally and physically abused by his wife. However, only he and the kids can testify to what happened daily in their house. Many might question why he never left. The answer is he never came forward because he feared losing the children and losing his military job.
Everyone snaps at one point or another, everyone has their breaking points. Jordan Henning had his and unfortunately it ended in murder. It is not fair for the defense to claim he is not a murderer and plead for the jury to not convict him of such when he blatantly took someone’s life. But it is also not fair to paint him as this gross inhumane individual if he was abused. Eggert will need to find a new approach to his defense strategy if he wants any chance of Jordan being acquitted.
