Michael Hendrickson, who killed Dwight Green during an argument over unpaid wages, will spend the next 20 years behind bars as punishment for his crime, V.I. Department of Justice Public Media Office Corliss Smithen has announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hendrickson, 28, of Estate Thomas appeared before V.I. Superior Court Judge Ren\u00e9e Gumbs-Carty Tuesday morning for a change-of-plea hearing and sentencing for the Oct. 21, 2017, shooting death of Green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charged with one count each of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, voluntary manslaughter, third-degree assault, unauthorized possession of ammunition and four counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, Hendrickson entered into a closed plea deal with prosecutors.\u00a0 He pleaded guilty to the single charge of second-degree murder in exchange for a 20-year prison term and dismissal with prejudice of the other charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would just like to say I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Hendrickson said, while addressing the court on his own behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Describing the incident as \u201cunfortunate, sad and disappointing,\u201d Judge Gumbs-Carty accepted the plea bargain and imposed a 20-year custodial sentence on Hendrickson in accordance with the terms of the deal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on statements from three witnesses, including Hendrickson, police arrested Hendrickson on Oct. 21, 2017, after they received reports of a shooting at a home in Estate Thomas, according to a probable cause fact sheet prepared by Det. Nigel James.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the witnesses told police that he was at his house with Hendrickson, his nephew, and his niece. Shortly after, Green came to the house and Green and Hendrickson got into an argument over monies owed to Hendrickson. The two men left the house and continued their argument on the porch. The witness said when he went outside on the porch \u201cto make sure nothing happened, Hendrickson\u2019s back was towards him, he heard the sound of gunshots and Green fell to the ground,\u201d Det. James wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second witness stated that she, too, was at the Estate Thomas residence. She said when Green arrived at the house, he and Hendrickson got into an argument. The two men went outside and shortly after, she heard the sound of gunshots. When she went outside, she saw Green bent over in a fetal position, according to the probable cause fact sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hendrickson turned himself in to police the following day and gave a statement to officers. He stated that after Hurricane Maria, Green helped him to get job with a man by the name of \u201cEric\u201d to assist with the cleanup of the island. He stated that \u201cEric\u201d did not pay him on time and \u201cEric\u201d owed him approximately $800, so he decided to ask Green for his money. Hendrickson said that when Green came to the residence, Hendrickson asked Green for his money, Green told him that he was not responsible for monies \u201cEric\u201d owed him and they began arguing. Hendrickson said he went outside on the porch and shortly after, Green came outside. They continued their argument, Green pushed Hendrickson twice and punched him in the face. Then, Hendrickson took a firearm out of his pocket and fired one shot at Green\u2019s foot. Green lunged at Hendrickson and Hendrickson fired another shot at Green\u2019s face. Green then fell to the ground and Hendrickson ran because he was scared, according to Det. James\u2019 probable cause fact sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assistant Attorney General Timothy Perry argued the case for the prosecution.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Michael Hendrickson, who killed Dwight Green during an argument over unpaid wages, will spend the next 20 years behind bars as punishment for his crime, V.I. Department of Justice Public Media Office Corliss Smithen has announced. Hendrickson, 28, of Estate Thomas appeared before V.I. Superior Court Judge Ren\u00e9e Gumbs-Carty Tuesday morning for a change-of-plea hearing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":57724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4400,191,147],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n