On a Saturday afternoon, just three days after he had celebrated his 21st birthday, Antonio Henson's life was cut tragically short. On January 21, 2017, the young male was found lying near the intersection of Kellogg Street and Farris Drive in Clarksville, Tennessee, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First responders rushed him to Tennova Healthcare, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The incident, which unfolded around 3:00 p.m., stemmed from a dispute over a mere two pills valued at approximately $150.
The investigation into the shooting led by the Clarksville Police Department's Homicide Unit, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies in Kentucky, soon zeroed in on several suspects. In June 2017, a Montgomery County grand jury returned indictments against four individuals. Tavarious Goliday, then 18, and Michael Mimms, also 18, were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Davayon Nikee Head, 20, and Kevonte White, 18, were both charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, with White facing an additional charge of tampering with evidence. The arrests brought a measure of hope for justice to a grieving family and community.
The legal process culminated in a jury trial that began in January 2020, exactly three years to the day of Henson's death. During the trial, one of the co-defendants, Kevonte White, testified against the others, identifying Goliday as the triggerman. He also admitted to disposing of the murder weapon in a pond. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting the murder was senseless, sparked by a minor drug-related conflict, with underlying suggestions of gang activity.
After about eight hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a split verdict. Tavarius Goliday was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and reckless endangerment. He was later sentenced to an automatic life sentence. Michael Mimms was convicted of a lesser charge of facilitation to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy, receiving a 15-year sentence. Davayon Head was acquitted of the conspiracy charge. Kevonte White, for his cooperation, settled his case and is serving a prison sentence.
