Alleged shooter refuses to get on jail bus
Murder suspect Henderson misses appearance; next step unclear
ALBANY — The alleged triggerman in the random 2023 slaying of local musician Benjamin Rowe on Hamilton Street skipped a scheduled court appearance and expected plea deal offer Friday by refusing to get on a bus at the Albany County jail.
Jeff Henderson, 21, of South Glens Falls, was scheduled to appear before acting state Supreme Court Justice at 1:45 p.m. but chose not to get on the bus, according to people familiar with the situation.
“It doesn’t happen often but it does clearly happen,” Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said. “If the judge insists, we will force them to go.”
Henderson is facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the June 25 killing of Rowe, 25. The victim, a 2015 graduate of Guilderland High School who later graduated from the University at Albany, was a popular figure on the Albany music scene who sang, played bass, wrote songs and promoted up-and-coming music acts in Albany. He had no connection to Henderson or the people riding with Henderson on the night of the shooting.
Also charged is Matthew Brewer, 20, of Queensbury, who is accused of hindering prosecution, a felony carrying up to seven years in prison upon conviction.
On June 25, Brewer drove a white Nissan Rogue from Warren County with three passengers, including Henderson, first to Saratoga Springs and then Albany. When they passed the 500 block of Hamilton Street, located between Ontario and Partridge streets, they passed Rowe, who was walking.
At a pre-trial hearing last month, a police detective testified that Henderson shouted a
profane remark at Rowe and that Rowe responded with a gesture. The detective said Henderson asked to be let out of the vehicle, then fatally shot Rowe. The detective said Brewer and another person in the car, who had been in a store on Ontario Street at the time, picked up Henderson at his request, and they drove back to Warren County.
Police said Henderson told everyone in the SUV to keep quiet about what had happened. City police investigators traced surveillance video footage and still images from city and private cameras to locate Brewer’s SUV. He and Henderson were charged.
It was unclear when Henderson’s next appearance will be held. An attorney for Henderson could not be immediately reached.
Last month, Rowe’s mother, Lee Rowe, told the Times Union: “We want ultimate accountability for the people that are responsible or played a part in Ben’s murder. There’s never going to be justice. The max that Jeff Henderson can get if convicted at trial is 25 to life —and it’s just not enough.”