David Henry Admits Killing Jaden Casey
COVINGTON, Ky. — On January 28, 2020, David Jesse Henry, 19, of South Covington, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Manslaughter for the shooting death of 16-year-old Jaden Casey. Henry told Kenton Circuit Judge Kathleen Lape he did not realize the handgun he had was loaded when it discharged. Henry also admitted to having smoked marijuana before handling the weapon. Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders is recommending a 5-year prison sentence.
Covington Police responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Sugarcamp Road in South Covington on September 22, 2019, for a report of a shooting. Officer Michael Jansen found Casey laying in a puddle of blood in a basement bedroom of the home, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. Covington Fire Department transported Casey to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he was treated and placed on life support. Casey succumbed to his injuries a short time later and died.
While police were still at the scene, Henry approached Officer Steven Krieger and stated the shooting was his fault. Henry said he and his friends, including Casey, had been handling multiple handguns when Henry’s “accidentally” went off, striking Casey in the back of the neck. Detective Justin Bradbury responded to investigate and noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the basement where Casey had been located. A search of the residence produced multiple handguns, marijuana, and a spent .40 caliber shell casing all in the area of the shooting. Henry would later admit to Det. Bradbury that he and his friends smoked marijuana prior to handling the weapons.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Sanders said this is yet another sad example of drugs and guns mixing with deadly results. “With the right to bear arms comes the duty to bear those arms responsibly,” said Sanders. “This is the third Kenton County case in three years of defendants who killed a friend or loved one after smoking marijuana,” Sanders said. In June 2017, Dhezon Gray shot his friend, Zachary Pouncy, in the chest after smoking marijuana in a friend’s garage. In August 2017, Marquil Brooks shot his girlfriend, Kelly Cocagne, after having smoked marijuana in a residence the couple shared. Pouncy and Cocagne were both killed. Gray and Brooks each pled guilty to Second Degree Manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison. Sanders, himself a firearms owner and advocate, said he hopes this case reminds everyone who has guns of the duty to bear arms responsibly. “Irresponsible gun use can have deadly consequences for innocent victims,” said Sanders, “And those who wantonly take innocent life will face prison.”
Henry will appear before Judge Lape for formal, final sentencing on April 7, 2020, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 6B of the Kenton County Justice Center.
Posted on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 @ 5:57PM
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