UPDATE (4:45 p.m.) — The court took a brief lunch recess and returned to witness testimony just after noon to hear more from the witness stand.
The State called a lead investigator with the Indiana State Police to the stand, who confirmed toxicology reports that showed methamphetamine in Henry’s system at the time of the incident.
During testimony, the defendant agreed to a stipulation that he had two prior convictions and that if convicted in this case that he would be considered a habitual offender.
The trial will continue Wednesday morning when the court is expected to hear testimony from a ballistic expert.
UPDATE (12:00 p.m.) — During opening statements, the State argued that Justin Henry allegedly attempted to murder Vermillion County Sheriff Deputies Joey Wilson and Keith Warner.
The defense questioned whether Henry had intent to kill the two officers and asked for the witnesses to be separated. Special Judge Hunter Reece ordered the witnesses to be separated, and court proceeded.
In February of 2023, Deputy Wilson was shot in the leg and foot after a multi-state police pursuit that began in Danville, Illinois, on a routine traffic stop
During the pursuit, it was discovered that Henry was wanted out of Champaign County, Illinois, for attempted murder.
Tuesday morning in court, the state called four witnesses to the stand, including Deputy Wilson.
Deputy Wilson stated that he took over the pursuit from the Danville, Illinois, Police Department as it entered Vermillion County, Indiana. Deputy Wilson stated that Vermillion County, Indiana, dispatch was notified by Vermilion County, Illinois, dispatch that a wanted person was entering the county.
Speeds reached over 100 MPH as the pursuit passed by North Vermillion High School and increased to 137 MPH before coming to an end in the front yard of a farmhouse in Dana, Indiana.
Wilson described in detail the moment Henry fired a gun at him. Wilson said that Henry exited the vehicle, turned and fired at him, striking him in the foot and shin.
“He was trying to kill me,” Wilson stated.
The courtroom became emotional as body camera video showed the incident that Joey described.
Wilson’s wife was also in the courtroom. She was moved to tears as he described the video and photographic evidence, including a photo where Henry is allegedly pointing the gun at Wilson.
“That is Justin Henry shooting at me,” Wilson said.
The judge also heard from Deputy Keith Warner. Warner described the moment the suspect pointed a gun at him, stating that Henry stood at the corner of the house near a satellite dish and looked directly at Warner and fired the weapon multiple times.
“I locked eyes with the suspect,” Warner said.
“Is there any doubt in your mind he was trying to kill you,” the state questioned.
“Absolutely not,” Warner stated.
The trial will continue into the afternoon as the state is set to call another witness to the stand.
VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A trial in underway for the man accused of shooting a Vermillion County Deputy after a police chase in 2023.
Justin T. Henry is in court Tuesday for a bench trial in the attempted murder case of Vermillion County Sheriff Deputy Joey Wilson.
In February of 2023, Deputy Wilson was shot in the leg and foot after a multi-state police chase that began in Danville, Illinois.
Indiana State Police said police in Danville, Illinois, attempted to pull over a car being driven by Henry. However, police said Henry took off and a chase ensued into Indiana. As officers closed in near Dana, Henry allegedly shot Deputy Wilson and then hid a in barn.
Henry was later shot by police as he tried to leave the barn on a piece of farm equipment.
In court so far Tuesday, the state has called two witnesses to the stand, including Deputy Wilson. Body camera video of the incident was also shown to the courtroom.
Henry’s trial is a bench trial, meaning that a judge rather than a jury decides the verdict of the case.
WTWO/WAWV has a crew in the courtroom and will keep you updated here online and on air.
