On August 25, 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Hobbs, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including 24-year-old Kristal Avena. The incident took place at a house party, where police were dispatched shortly before 1 a.m. in response to reports of a loud party and shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found several people with gunshot wounds, and unfortunately, Kristal Avena, along with 18-year-old Khalil Carter of Hobbs and 22-year-old Lamar Lee Kane Jr.
of Washington, D.C., were pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting led to the arrest and charging of Bishop Henderson III. Henderson, who was a DJ at the party, was taken into custody in 2019 and charged with three counts of murder for the deaths of Avena, Carter, and Kane, as well as for the injuries sustained by four other individuals. The case against Henderson was complex, with various pieces of evidence and testimonies presented during the trial.
During the trial, several key points were raised that contributed to the jury's decision. One significant issue was the credibility of the police investigation, particularly the actions of Hobbs Police Det. Sgt. Ahmaad White. It was revealed that White had lied to Henderson about having a video of him shooting one of the victims, which Henderson denied. Henderson also mentioned other potential suspects, including Kei'manuel Wright, Devarian Gibson, Keeshon Cantu, and Johnny McBride, all associated with a group known as the 'Get Money Boys'.
The forensic evidence presented during the trial was also crucial. The prosecution argued that Henderson was the lone shooter in the backyard, but the defense countered with evidence suggesting multiple guns were involved. Firearms expert Kevin Streine testified that at least six guns were used in the shooting, and that the projectiles found in the victims did not match Henderson's gun, a 9 mm semiautomatic Taurus. Additionally, the defense highlighted that no revolver or casings from a revolver were recovered, despite the state's claim that a revolver was used. The defense expert, Jim Hardy, suggested that one of the bullets that killed Kristal Avena could have been fired from an elevated position in the alley, contradicting the state's theory that Henderson was the sole shooter.
The trial concluded on August 24, 2022, after 19 days of proceedings. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning a verdict of not guilty on all seven counts against Bishop Henderson III. The acquittal was largely due to the reasonable doubt raised by the inconsistencies in the evidence and the questionable tactics used by the police during the investigation.
In summary, while Bishop Henderson III was the primary suspect and was charged with the murders of Kristal Avena, Khalil Carter, and Lamar Lee Kane Jr., the trial ultimately resulted in his acquittal due to insufficient evidence linking him directly to the crimes. The case remains a complex and tragic incident, with many questions still unanswered about the actual perpetrators of the shooting.
