A former U.S. Army soldier, Jordan Mykol Henning, has been found guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the death of his wife, Sergeant First Class Ashley Henning, following a high-profile trial in Kentucky. The case, which has drawn widespread attention from military communities, centers around the tragic events of June 26, 2023, when Jordan shot and killed Ashley in their home near Fort Knox.
The incident, which occurred on Ashley’s birthday, was fully captured on the couple’s home surveillance system. Prosecutors argued that the footage provided irrefutable evidence of Jordan’s intent, while the defense maintained that he acted under extreme emotional distress due to years of alleged abuse by Ashley.
During the trial, Jordan Henning took the stand and expressed that he did not fully comprehend how he reached the point of shooting his wife. He described years of alleged physical abuse at Ashley’s hands, claiming she had pushed him down the stairs, bitten him, and struck him on multiple occasions. His defense team argued that these incidents, combined with his military training and emotional distress, led to a psychological breakdown that resulted in the shooting.
The prosecution, however, contended that the killing was deliberate. They emphasized that Jordan not only fired multiple shots at Ashley but also reloaded his weapon, continued shooting, and then spat on her body. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Eric Carr asserted that the footage demonstrated malicious intent, rejecting Jordan’s self-defense claims.
During closing arguments, the defense likened Jordan’s emotional state to a bucket being filled with constant drips of abuse until it overflowed, leading him to snap. Defense Attorney Roger Rigney argued that Jordan was not in his right mind and questioned why he would commit the act in front of security cameras he had installed himself if he were acting with intent.
Jordan Henning is sentenced after being convicted of the lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter in the death of his wife, Ashley Henning. https://t.co/IInhaPvVel pic.twitter.com/QEenfseIRx
— Court TV (@CourtTV) March 20, 2025
Prosecutors dismissed the defense’s argument, pointing out that there was no evidence Ashley posed a threat to Jordan at the time of the shooting. Carr emphasized the brutality of the act, stating, “If what you saw on that video is not evil and malicious, I don’t know what is.”
Jurors were tasked with determining whether Jordan was guilty of murder, first- or second-degree manslaughter, or reckless homicide. They ultimately convicted him of first-degree manslaughter, a lesser charge than murder, but still carrying significant legal consequences. The jury recommended the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though an official sentencing date has not yet been set.
The trial has sparked discussions within the military community about domestic violence, mental health resources for service members, and how combat training influences soldiers’ responses to high-stress situations. Ashley Henning, a decorated soldier who had served since 2005 and completed multiple deployments, was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant following her tragic death.
As the case concludes, Jordan Henning now awaits sentencing, bringing a close to a trial that has deeply resonated with both military personnel and advocates for domestic violence awareness.
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