Henson trial: Brother testifies for prosecution

Heather Henson’s 14-year-old brother testified Thursday that his sister spoke of killing Larry Kingsley just hours before the fatal shooting on July 12.

“She might have to kill Larry if he came at her in a threatening way,” Henson’s brother testified while appearing as a witness for the prosecution.

He also told the court that his sister told him that Kingsley had threatened her and Stephen Thomas, pulled a knife on Thomas, and shot guns in the air every night.

When asked why he didn’t notify anyone of Henson’s statements at the time, the young teen responded, “because she says weird stuff all the time.”

Henson is being tried for deliberate homicide, physical evidence tampering and felony theft.

The day of the murder, police spoke twice to Thomas and once to Henson. Neither time did they indicate that they were in trouble or feared for their lives, according to testimony by Deputy Jason Place of Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

That day Kingsley, Henson and Thomas drove to Libby, picked up her brother and went shopping.

Kingsley’s unusual behavior at the stores caused enough disruption that the sheriff’s office received two calls within an hour from Pamida and RadioShack describing Kingsley and his truck, according to police and store clerks.

Place and Deputy Jay Sheffield spoke to Kingsley and his passenger, Thomas, and ran their names for warrants, according to the officers’ testimony. Henson and her brother had left minutes before to attend a magic show at Libby High School.

Place testified that he warned Thomas to stay away from Kingsley. At the time, Kingsley was the subject of a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks investigation that involved him pulling a gun on someone, Place said.

Shortly after police let them go, Kingsley drove back to the Sylvan Lake Campground and Thomas met up with Henson and her brother.

Place stopped the trio as they walked to the home of Henson’s brother. According to Thomas, he and Henson told Place that they felt threatened by Kingsley and in response, the officer gave them his card.

Place said he doesn’t recall that exchange. His testimony revealed that he stopped the trio for information about Kingsley and that he routinely hands out his card, which contains his name and badge number.

When the siblings said good-bye to one another, Henson’s brother said that his sister mentioned to him that she would not have to kill Kingsley – that maybe the police would handle him.

The trial continues Friday at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Libby.