DAVENPORT, Iowa - The murder trial of Tre Henderson is underway in Scott County. He is charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of child endangerment in the death of 5 year old Ja'Shawn Brussell in May of 2018.
KWQC TV6 reports that opening statements were made today. Assistant Scott County Attorney Nathan Repp said the boy's mother, Jacqueline Rambert was at work and the child was in the care of Henderson.
Henderson had stated to police and Rambert that the boy had fallen off a countertop in the kitchen.
Rambert called 911 and a paramedic testified that the boy had no clothes on and was draped over Henderson's shoulder when they arrived at the couple's apartment in Davenport. The medic said Brussell was cold, unresponsive, not breathing and marks on him. That included a bruise on the boy's forehead, chest, arms and legs.
Brussell was taken to a hospital, then airlifted to University Hospitals in Iowa City. he died May 1, 2018. An autopsy showed the boy died of injuries to the head and had other injuries on his torso and extremities.
Henderson's defense attorney Michael Adams stated that there was no doubt that Brussell had been abused before his death but the child suffered a fatal injury to his head when he fell from the counter. He went on to say he believes the evidence will show the boy's death was accidental.
Rambert will be sentenced March 20th after pleading guilty to two counts of child endangerment.
The trial will continue Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of KWQC TV6.