Ex-Army Officer Convicted of Manslaughter in Wife’s Birthday Shooting

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — A former U.S. Army servicemember, Jordan Henning, has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of his wife, Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Henning, in their home in Hardin County. The jury delivered its verdict on October 26, 2023, following a trial that revealed the tragic confrontation on Ashley’s 37th birthday, June 26, 2023.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Jordan had an intention to kill Ashley, fueled by ongoing relationship issues. Video footage from security cameras inside their home showed the harrowing scene where Jordan shot Ashley four times, briefly left to reload, and returned to shoot her one last time. In addition to the footage, prosecutors contended that Jordan’s actions were driven by longstanding resentment.

In defense, Jordan testified that he was provoked by years of alleged abuse from Ashley and claimed he “snapped” during a heated argument. His defense team introduced a psych evaluation supporting his claim of “extreme emotional disturbance,” which is a legal defense in Kentucky that can lower murder charges to manslaughter. On Thursday, after four hours of deliberation, the jury convicted him of first-degree manslaughter, concluding that this charge better reflected the circumstances of the case.

Jordan was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison— the maximum penalty for manslaughter— and he will be eligible for parole after serving 85% of his sentence. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Eric Carr expressed disappointment in the verdict, advocating for a 22-year sentence based on the nature of the crime.

The trial highlighted the emotional turmoil surrounding the couple, particularly during the final argument before the fatal shooting, where Ashley’s son ran for help to a nearby neighbor, Jimmy Watts. Watts testified that he tried to intervene during the dispute and was threatened by Jordan, which led him to call 911.

In a critical moment depicted in the footage, Ashley beckoned Jordan to “be a man” and put the gun down, a plea that highlighted the chaotic and escalating situation leading to the shooting. Witness accounts corroborated John Henning’s claims of emotional turmoil within the marriage, including allegations of physical altercations.

Ashley Henning’s cousin, Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer John Williams, condemned the verdict in his statement to the jury. He referred to them as “cowards” for what he viewed as a failure to deliver justice for his cousin’s tragic death.

The impact of the events rippled through their family, with Jordan’s daughter expressing her heartbreak over losing her adoptive mother, and family members from both sides presenting emotional testimonies during the sentencing phase. Ultimately, this case raises critical questions about domestic violence, mental health defense strategies, and the consequences of traumatic relationships.

Jordan Henning now faces potential military court proceedings concerning his wife’s death, with formal sentencing for his manslaughter charge to be scheduled in the coming weeks.