Victim scrams, suspect walks

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Stabbing-related charges against Reddawn Henderson were discharged Thursday after a key witness and the victim failed to testify during a preliminary hearing in magistrate court.

Henderson was arrested Sept. 17 after Gallup Police responded to his 404 Aida Court address and found a man stabbed in the face and back. The man was a friend of Henderson named Stephen Athens, according to police reports. Athens had attempted to diffuse a fight between Henderson and Erica Padilla, when Henderson allegedly used a steak knife to stab Athens in the face and back.

Henderson barricaded himself inside Padilla’s house, prompting police to send in a canine, which found Henderson hiding beneath a crib in a bedroom. He was charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony, and one count of aggravated battery on a household member, both of which were discharged Thursday by Judge John J. Carey.

Police said that early in the investigation, the victim, Stephen Athens, stopped cooperating. He declined to provide DNA for police to match with blood found on the knife and at the scene. Athens also failed to appear in response to a subpoena to Thursday’s preliminary hearing, according to prosecutor John Bernitz. Bernitz said Padilla also refused to testify.

Henderson is still being held on no bond at Gallup McKinley Adult Detention Center on a parole violation charge for allegedly absconding from parole officers on Aug. 21. The hearing for his parole violation is scheduled for Nov. 3.

Bernitz said he intends to revisit the stabbing charges on that date.

“Whatever additional evidence we lacked in magistrate court we’re going to have at district,” Bernitz said Friday.

The prosecution’s interest in Henderson is, in part, due to his extensive list of priors. Twice in 2005 Henderson was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to court records. In July of 2005 the battery was coupled with a slew of child abuse, interference and tampering charges. Also in 2005, Henderson pleaded not guilty to assaulting a peace officer. In April of 2005, he was charged with aggravated battery along with breaking and entering. In 2002 he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and negligent use of a deadly weapon. Other charges include vandalism and extortion.