QUEENSBURY, N.Y. – This week marked the beginning of the murder trial of Robert Henry.
"He put an ad on Craigslist looking for a homosexual relationship,” said Warren County Assistant District Attorney Matt Burin. “Robert Henry responded to that ad."
That was the beginning of the chain of events that resulted in the death of Kevin Jenks inside his Glens Falls home last July, according to prosecutors.
"Robert Henry had absolutely no intention of engaging in any sort of sexual encounter with Kevin Jenks, Robert Henry tricks Kevin Jenks,” Burin said. “Robert Henry brings with him, Kevin Chapman."
After the last jurors were seated Tuesday in Warren County Court, jurors heard opening statements from both lawyers in Henry’s case. Along with Kevin Chapman, the Ilion man is accused of breaking into Jenks' Dix Avenue home with the original intent of robbing the 58-year-old grandfather of two.
"Kevin Jenks is eventually murdered,” Burin said. “Someone strangles him to death."
"There will be no credible evidence in this case that suggests Robert Henry strangled Mr. Jenks," said Tucker Stanclift, Henry’s attorney.
Stanclift says it was Chapman, not his client, who ended Jenks' life.
"Evidence will show Mr. Chapman became angry with Mr. Jenks, he saw red and he tackled him," Stanclift said.
In January, Chapman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Prosecutors say he will testify against Henry, his former neighbor in Herkimer County.
"Their behavior is nothing short of appalling,” Burin said. “Repulsive behavior."
"[Chapman] took the deal and this is when he came up with all these extra facts," Stanclift said.
The pair allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of Jenks' belongings, along with his Cadillac.
If convicted, Henry faces between 18 years to life in prison.
"Kevin Jenks knows what happened, but he was silenced. And under the law, he was silenced by Robert Henry and Kevin Chapman," Burin said.