Antonio Henry, 28, appears before Judge Don Poole to plead guilty early Tuesday morning, April 9, 2013 on charges of beating a local pastor to death in the man’s home, stealing his credit cards and car with with help from his cousin Brendan Barnes, 19.The co-defendant and cousin of a man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2010 beating death of a local pastor will face a hearing on the same charges April 23.
On Tuesday, Antonio Henry, 28, admitted to his part in the October 2010 killing of Pastor David Strong, who had led the flock of St. Paul AME Church before his death. His trial on first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery charges was set to start that day.
His cousin, Brendan Barnes, 19, has not had a trial date set. The April 23 date will determine the next steps in his court proceedings.
Prosecutor Neal Pinkston said there was no promise by Henry to testify against Barnes.
As part of his plea deal Henry will serve 20 years in prison. He faced a life sentence with parole if convicted on the first-degree murder charge and a 15-to-25-year sentencing range on the second-degree murder count.