Police Won't Charge Henry's Fiancee in Death
Posted by Media Outrage on January 7th, 2010
Police are not going to charge Chris Henry’s fiancee, Loleini Tonga, in his death.
Via Abc:
Police will not charge the fiancee of late Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry in connection with his death last month.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Wednesday that there was no evidence that Loleini Tonga drove recklessly or with excessive speed last month when Henry came out of the back of her pickup truck on a curvy, residential road and suffered fatal injuries.
“The speed limit on Oakdale Road is 35 mph and the estimated speed at the time of accident was between 19-23 mph,” police said in a statement.
Police say Henry and Tonga were arguing at home owned by Tonga’s family in northwest Charlotte on the morning of Dec. 16 when Tonga attempted to drive away. A witness said he saw a shirtless Henry jump into the back of the truck.
A 911 caller said she saw Henry beating on the back window as she drove behind the truck. About a minute later, another 911 caller said he saw an unresponsive man laying in the road.
Henry died a day later of blunt-force trauma to the head. He was 26.
“Homicide detectives interviewed Ms. Tonga who was cooperative throughout the duration of the investigation,” police said. “Her statement was consistent with witness accounts. However, there were no witnesses that actually saw how Mr. Henry came out of the back of the truck.”
Tonga told ESPN this week that Henry jumped out of the back, but was not trying to harm himself. She said she thinks Henry thought he would land safely and may have been scared because he saw someone calling the police.
Henry was away from the Bengals at the time of the incident after being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken forearm. Grief-stricken players and coaches attended Henry’s funeral in Louisiana. Players have worn No. 15 stickers on their helmets since and will play the New York Jets in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.
A talented player, Henry had struggled through a number of mistakes away from the field. He was suspended five times and the Bengals at one point released him after the 2007 season as he dealt with an assault charge. But owner Mike Brown decided to give Henry another chance and brought him back on a two-year deal before the 2008 season.
Mediaoutrage – Any thoughts?
January 7th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Why would they charge her his dumb ass jumped onto the truck and did that shit with an injured arm.
My condolences to the family but that accident was ALL his fault. Who the fuck told him to try to do an A-Team dive onto a moving vehicle?!?!?! Dumb fuckery
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Truly23 Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
I 2nd that…
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MissTX85 Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I agree to some extent.
True he shouldn’t have done it but if she was going the reported speed, how did she not hear him beating on the window? How did she not know he’d fallen off? And if she did, why wasn’t she the one who called for help?
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Truly23 Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
She probably was speeding to get the hell out of dodge MissTx. Probably feared for her safety and just kept looking forward to escape the madness.
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Aniya Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 12:41 am
@ Truly23—On the ESPN interview, she indicated that she was going 2 pull over but there was “nowhere 2 stop”….so I don’t think she was scared besides, she hadn’t mentioned that—–entire interview will air Sun. 9pm.
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Truly23 Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 12:50 am
Oh ok Aniya
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January 7th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
It’s a sad case on what happen. What’s really bad is there’s really no witness 2 see what actually happen.
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January 7th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
My condolences to everybody involved with this, but more than anyone, his immediate family, his parents, this young woman will have to live with those last moments for the rest of her life, thats a hell within itself, she will be playing the “what if I had done” game forever
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January 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
sad, great example to everyone… if you are arguing , dont follow the other person, let them go their way, and you stay where you are or go your way to calm down, NEVER attempt no dumb shit like that ever!!! that is to bad! well may he rest in peace, he killed himself!!
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Rafiq Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 2:36 am
TRUE DAT.
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January 8th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Hmm. Yes, what happened was truly sad but I don’t quite believe the hype. Of course, she won’t be charged because there’s no proof but it’s really odd that she chose to insert certain catch phrases that keep her from being prosecuted. Noting her speed, saying perhaps he ‘thought he’d land safely’…her verbage screams “I consulted my attorney before I said SHIT!!”
Had she not said those things, she would be open to negligent homicide charges as well as a civil case for wrongful death. How did the witness that called 911 from behind teh truck NOT see him fall off? It doesn’t add up but if his family is satisfied, then I guess it all ends well. A sad & shady situation though.
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