Police Claim Man Confessed to Killing of Pastor
Authorities claim a man has confessed to the killing of a Chattanooga pastor that took place on October 10 of this year. Detective Michael Wenger testified at a preliminary hearing yesterday that twenty-five year-old Antonio Henry and another individual, a teenager, confessed to killing Reverend David Strong at the pastor’s home approximately a month ago. The teenager also reportedly told police that the two defendants intended to rob and kill the pastor. According to reports, Mr. Henry also indicated that he had been sexually abused by Henry in the past. The testimony was enough to meet the state’s burden at the preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to the circuit court for trial.
A preliminary hearing is a hearing that is guaranteed to all defendants charged with felonies in Tennessee (misdemeanor defendants may also demand one but generally choose to waive it) where the state must prove that sufficient evidence exists to justify the case going to trial. The State must present enough proof at a preliminary hearing to show that there is "probable cause" to believe the defendant committed the crime with which he or she is charged. The term “probable cause” essentially means that the evidence shows the defendant probably committed the crime with which he or she is accused.
A skilled criminal defense attorney can often use a preliminary hearing not only as an opportunity to prove that the evidence is insufficient to warrant taking the case to trial but also as an opportunity to lock key witnesses in to their testimony so that they cannot deviate from that testimony at trial without running the risk of being impeached. A capable criminal defense attorney can also use such a hearing as an opportunity to discover the prosecution’s plan of attack in order to prepare a strong defense should the case proceed to trial. Tennesseans who find themselves facing criminal charges should take note of the importance of having an East Tennessee criminal defense attorney working for them at every stage of the case and should not hesitate to secure legal representation.
Source: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/10news_at_five/article/141074/173/Police-say-man-charged-in-Chattanooga-pastor-slaying-confessed
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