From the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:
Gregory Lance Henderson’s adult life is on the record.
Police and court records. . .
The 31-year-old Columbus man is accused of striking with his car and killing James Anderson, a Lee County, Ala., sheriff’s deputy . . . Henderson was sentenced to 15 years and three to serve for a drug conviction in 2007. If he had served the full three years, he would still be in a Georgia prison today.
Despite an extensive criminal record (16 bookings in Georgia alone, a felony conviction for aggravated assault, drug convictions), Henderson faced no consequences for most of his arrests. He drew a 24 months to serve/10 years parole sentence for a violent felony in 2006 and yet somehow didn’t serve that time. His next arrest came five months later — and even though he’d violated parole (if we can call it parole, since he was actually supposed to be in jail), someone let him walk again. A few arrests later, he was in front of another judge who apparently did not consider the fact that he was still supposed to be in prison for the last offense and had also been arrested additional times since that conviction.
So, 11 months after he was sentenced to ten years, 24 months to serve, he was sentenced anew on other charges and given 15 years, three years to serve.
Why didn’t the judge revoke the parole, send him off for ten years, and then slap on the additional charges?
Of course, Henderson didn’t serve those three years, either. He was released 15 months later, and now a Sheriff’s deputy over the Alabama border has been murdered.
Thank you, Muscogee County Superior Court. Thank you, Georgia Pardons and Paroles. Hope you send flowers:
Randy Robertson, vice president of the local Georgia Fraternal Order of Police chapter and a Columbus law enforcement officer, said this case illustrates the need for tougher mandatory sentencing laws from the Georgia General Assembly.
“The state of Georgia needs to write an apology to the Anderson family because this guy was not where he was supposed to be, which is incarcerated,” Robertson said Saturday.
Georgia’s recidivism laws are too narrow and its mandatory sentencing laws are utterly meaningless. The recidivism law excludes all but a few crimes, and defendants can still plead out of the ones that count as “strikes.” (This, as I keep saying, is why we have so many people in prison for “just drug charges” that aren’t really just drug charges.) The mandatory sentencing laws create guidelines and then undermine them by allowing judges to suspend part or all of any sentence (then the Parole Board chops off the other end). What’s mandatory about that?
Did legislators not read these bills before they passed them? Were defense attorneys still in charge of the House Judiciary Committee when these bills were drafted with little poison pills attached? Were publicly law-and-order types privately fudging the legislative intent in order to save the state some money?
Why does nobody ask questions like this?
~~~
Any road, the consequences remain the same: a police officer dead, his family mourning.
Remember this: when cops are dealing with out-of-control recidivists, every arrest, even for minor crimes, puts their lives in danger. According to comments in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Henderson has a teardrop-tattoo on his face, universal nomenclature advertising intent of and propensity for unpredictable and extreme violence:
So even when he was just getting popped for traffic offenses, he was announcing to the world that it could end very badly for someone. And finally, tragically, it did. Nobody should deign to express surprise.
Here are merely the last four years of Henderson’s journey through — or, mostly, not through — Georgia courts. Between the rat tangle of lax prosecution protocols, plea deals, judicial discretion and parole, his feet barely touched the courthouse floor, let alone the jailhouse door:
Oct. 14, 2005: Booked into Muscogee County Jail on aggravated assault and armed robbery charges.
Oct. 6, 2006: Pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges in Superior Court; Judge Robert Johnston sentenced him to 10 years in prison, 24 months to serve.
March 1, 2007: Booked into Muscogee County Jail on possession of methamphetamine and traffic charges.
April 8, 2007: Booked into Muscogee County Jail on misdemeanor battery charges.
May 3, 2007: Booked into Muscogee County Jail on probation violation and aggravated assault charges.
Sept. 7, 2007: Pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine charge in Superior Court. Judge Bobby Peters sentenced him to 15 years, three years to serve.
Oct. 23, 2007: Began prison sentence.
Dec. 29, 2008: Released on parole from Hays State prison by Georgia Department of Corrections.
To revisit the math: while on probation (?) for an aggravated assault for which Henderson is actually supposed to be in prison, he’s busted in March, busted in April, busted in May, pleads to “just drug” charges for the March 1 charge in September and gets out of jail, early, 15 months later. Then, this:
Sept. 24, 2009: Arrested in Lee County, Ala., on capital murder charges in connection with the death of Sheriff’s deputy James Anderson.
Someone claiming to be Judge Peters responds to criticisms in this comments thread. Of course, there’s no way to know if it really is the judge, but he says the D.A. didn’t bring charges for the second aggravated assault before him, only a drugs charge. He also seems to have not looked at Henderson’s prior record, because he apparently did not notice that Henderson was supposed to be in jail when he was in his courtroom. If any of this is true, it simply means that the courts are in even more disarray, not less, frankly.
Scratch the surface of most “just drugs” cases, and you get someone with an arrest record like Henderson’s. Judges should know that and want full disclosure of prior records, right?
My name is Judge Peters and I am posting this to correct the article. James Henderson did not come before me for aggravated assault. He was arrested for a possession of residue of meth in a straw when he was stopped for improper tag lights. A plea bargain agreement with the DA and his lawyer was an agreement where he pleaded guilty, gave up his 4th amendment rights, sentenced to 15 years, three in jail and 12 on supervised probation with drug testing and drug treatment.
OK, fine. Blame the D.A. too. But why would any judge allow a 15-year sentence for, as he modestly puts it, “residue in a straw” without asking why the D.A. wanted to throw the book? Why would any judge not wish to ascertain the defendants’ criminal history to consider in sentencing, for that matter?
Why didn’t the judge revoke his parole, or whatever it was Henderson was serving or not serving for the 2006 aggravated assault charge?
Why didn’t the judge also see that Henderson had another outstanding aggravated assault charge, which would qualify him for recidivism status? I’m willing to believe there are more people responsible than just Judge Peters. But it is his courtroom, his responsibility. The buck stops with him, and if all this is the prosecutor’s fault, then the judge has a serious responsibility to do something about such costly lack of communication. Peters (if it his him) continues:
[Henderson] was paroled by the Pardon and Parole Board prior to his 2010 release date. Deputy [Anderson] was a fine man, all jurisdictions mourn his passing and pray for his family. No one could predict this would happen. the sentence received was a tough sentence for possession of residue of meth. the article was wrong when it listed the crime of aggravated assault as an additional charge at that time. Thank you. — Bobby Peters.
Nobody could predict this would happen? Well, not if you don’t look at the guy’s record. Or his face. The writer claiming to be Judge Peters continues:
[O]nce an individual is sentenced, his fate rests with the Pardon and Parole Board. Victims or family members, DA, may appear before the board or send a letter. I dont contact the board to get a person out or to keep them in. The aggravated assault was a plea bargain in front of another judge in 06. I have asked for a transcript of both cases. The case I heard was a residue meth case where Henderson was on drugs and stopped for no tag light. 15 years with 3 years in prison,12 years on probation, drug treatment, drug testing, random searches, and 12 years to serve if he got in trouble again. No one can ever predict what a defendant will do down the road. This case is really a tragedy for the Anderson family. I dont know why Henderson got out early but the main one to blame is Henderson himself. I, like everyone, am so sorry this happened. Note says no more space. You can call me if you have more questions. — Bobby Peters.
“I have asked for a transcript of both cases”? Now? After a cop gets killed? Why would any judge sentence somebody without knowing their record of violent crime, recidivism, prior leniency shown by the courts, and prior conduct during prior early releases, particularly parole violations?
“No one can ever predict what a defendant will do down the road”?
This one did precisely what he did the last time: got another drug charge, another aggravated assault charge, and then another free pass from another prosecutor, another judge and another pushover at Pardons and Paroles. No mystery there.
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Every police officer in the state should descend on the Georgia General Assembly this year in memory of Officer James Anderson, demanding real sentencing reform and judicial accountability. This time.
Amen brother. God bless the Anderson family.
wELL, WITH ALL OF THIS SAID LANCE NEVER LEARNED HIS LESSON, HE CAME STRAIGH OUT OF PRISON DOING METH AND HANGING OUT WITH DRUG DEALERS, IN FACT THE VERY DAY THE REASON HE WAS IN LEE COUNTY WAS BECAUSE HE WAS COMING FROM A CONVICTED MANY TIMES OVER DRUG DEALERS HOUSE BY THE NAME OF CHUCK, WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND WAS IN HANDCUFFS THAT DAY WHEN LANCE WENT TO PULL UP WHICH SCARED HIM OFF, WE LET LANCE FREE LOOK WHAT HE DID LETS TO THE SAME FOR CHUCK, BUT HE MAKES DEALS!!!
James was my younger brother and his death needs to be placed on the head of one man. just make sure that one man does his time, the whole time, and not just part of it. Keep the drug people off the streets, keep the dealers off the streets, everyone needs to get involved and help our law enforecers do their jobs so this will not happen to another family. I love and miss you lots James. Your only sister, Steph
I know Lance personally . He is my step-dad . He is a really great and sweet guy at heart ; His only fault is that he doesn’t know how to keep himself out of trouble sometimes . Lance DID NOT mean to hurt this man in any way . They shot at him first . And they shot two times , By the way . This is the kind of stuff they don’t tell you on the news . They shot first . And that dumb Officer jumped in front of the car when he started to drive off because he didn’t want to get shot . If the other officer had not shot ; This Officer would have not been hurt . Lance also has a baby girl on the way that is due next month around March 20th . He needs to be around for this baby’s life before she is too old to know if Lance is her dad or not . I understand an Officer was “murdered” (Which is not true . Murder is purposefully . And I assure you Lance did not do this purposefully) , But Lance needs compassion too . He’s not perfect . But who is ? Like I said ; Lance is a wonderful guy at heart and he means well . He doesn’t need too much time . I love you , Lance <3
Your stepfather murdered an innocent cop. And you call the murdered man “dumb.” Sickening.
I was convicted of aggravated assault in Carroll county in 2003 from an indictment for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault. It was and is a clear case of self defense. Two of the states witness confirmed that fact by thier testimony. I spent my time at Calhoun state Prison. Every negro that came from Columbus got what he deserved and in too many cases, got more.One Willie Sampson was serving a life sentence for murder. He was tried and convicted 25 years after the crime. No he was not on the run, they could have picked him up at any time. He was leased to a Carrier from B-ham Ala.This man was convicted even though he was in N.Y. in a wreck at the time the murder took place. This was documented by the Carrier he was contracted to.In about 2007 he went back to court, but his conviction still stands. Another: Man, first name Johnnie ? got 40 years for a crack rock that was never presented as evidence. This peace of scum got all these brakes because he was not a negro. Need I say more about the crooks that let this less than human rome the streets. Now he has killed a police officer. I’ll bet he doesn’t get the death penalty. He is connected to somebody with strong influence over this so called justice system.That’s what needs to be looked into. It was told to me that a white man killed a negro child for stealing from his bicycle junk yard, and did not serve a day for it. It is sad. Every negro included prison guards told me that Ga. doesn’t have a self defense law.
If this guy is so wonderful, he could not have committed all the other crimes he was accused of. The law could not have been wrong all of those times. That’s ok that he is loved.So is the dead person. It is true that love is blinding. It is like the mother that calls her son her baby after he has robbed raped and kill an elderly woman. A rose by any other name is still a ROSE.
you talk about your step dad .. well i have known your step dad for many more years than you .. since he was 13 years old .. he has always been trouble an always will be .. it pisses me off when all these thugs drug friends or whatever they are defend someone like this .. lance had a great family . 3 kids he never purchased a meal for .. he dont care about life … except drug life .. lance could be a good person but so could charles manson … officer anderson was a great man .. you call him stupid grow up young lady .. seems to me your mother needs to pick another step daddy for you so you can learn some values in life .
First I’d like to say that my heart goes out to Officer Andersen’s family and friends because the fact remains that he was killed in the line of duty. But now my heart palpates irregularly on occasion when I think of the possibility of my friend Lance being executed for it. I can agree that his criminal record doesn’t exactly paint a halo on his mug shots and therefore can allow people to consistently bash on him the way they do. Perhaps maybe he hasn’t been a role model citizen or father figure for that matter. But one thing I know for sure is that he did not intentionally take his life. Lance is a good hearted person. He just may not be on point with his ‘cognitive thinking skills ‘ But hey, it’s not something Morale Reconation Thherapy (MRT) can’t fix!! Some people need to make the same mistakes more than once before they learn their lesson. I know I did! He just really needs one more chance and if I thought it would make a difference, I would pay the ten’s of thousand’s of dollars in attorney fee’s to Jeremy Armstrong just to be able to see Lance come home again…. My thought’s and prayer’s are with you buddy and I will see you in the court room in April.
Love ya man!!
Apparently some people and/or things never change. Yes, there are times when people learn their lesson get out early and turn something bad into something positive. However, you can look at the years and learn that nothing was ever going to get better. He should have been in jail where he belonged because he was let off way too many times. If he would have been there this officer would still be here with his family. If the other officer started shooting he should have put his hands up and got out of the car instead of trying to run. This seems like it happened in the heat of the moment. Meaning to kill someone or not, it’s about time that this drug user learned his lesson. Everything happens for a reason and I hope that some changes come around letting people out of jail way to early. There is nothing that we can do to bring the officer back. However, stopping it from happening again by someone that should be in jail anyway is something we can do!