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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 | 7:45 p.m.
John Morgan
Roger Jenkins
Burlington Coat Factory
A trial began on Wednesday for two Henderson men accused of detonating chemical bombs on April 21 in a Henderson clothing store.
John Morgan, 28, and Roger Jenkins, 42, are charged with burglary, two counts of use of an explosive device to damage property, two counts of manufacturing or possessing an explosive device, five counts of possession of credit or debit cards without the cardholder’s consent, conspiracy to manufacture and posses an explosive device, possession of burglary tools and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges and claim they were not in the store at the time of the explosions, according to court records.
Prosecutors expect to call nearly 20 witnesses to testify during the three-day trial in Clark County District Court.
About 20 employees and 30 customers were in the Burlington Coat Factory, 560 N. Stephanie St., about a half hour before the store closed at 9 p.m. that night.
Authorities say Morgan walked in at about 8:15 p.m. and was in the store for about 10 minutes before the explosions occurred.
Several employees reported their eyes burned or were irritated but there were no serious injuries.
The two bombs, made of household supplies, damaged merchandise, the carpet and walls and a folding table.
After the explosion, a store security guard followed a black Infinity SUV and called police.
Henderson police arrested Jenkins and Morgan a short while later across the street in another shopping center.
The arresting officer testified today that she found a 9 mm Luger bullet in Morgan's pocket.
Officer April Arntt testified she mistakenly wrote in her report that she found the bullet in Jenkins' pocket.
Investigators found a 9 mm gun in the vehicle. The SUV was registered to Jenkins.
Police also recovered stolen credit cards and identification from a woman who reported a burglary from her Summerlin home on March 5.
The woman testified that two charges were made the day the cards were stolen. She said thieves took two computers, jewelry and money but those items were never recovered.
CORRECTION: This story was updated to clarify discrepancies between an initial police report and testimony in court about weapons. Jenkins' age was also corrected. | (October 8, 2009)
Put 'em away for a long, long time...ship them out of the State...send 'em to Afghanistan!
well they damaged a folding table after all
can we PLEASE just kill people like this so they don't breed.
Danni, is that any way for a lady to talk? Sounds like you're an enabler. Counseling -and completion of high school- may help...
Both men should get exactly what they deserve.
are these goofy photos of these two guys or what? is the one guy sticking his tongue out?
wtf??
Thanks for pointing this out. I checked and we did have Morgan's age incorrect but it has been updated in the story based on court documents.
Johnnys age is still incorrect. He's 29. In addition to the changes made, John Morgan never said he wasn't in burlington coat factory. He did say he was shopping and even on the tape he is seen purchasing a shirt, and also on the tape he is seen doing nothing, but shopping. During witness testimonies, all wittnesses said that he had nothing in his hands when he walked in, that he looked "suspicious" and even had an employee follow him through the store and at no point did they see him do anything. This 9mm gun being referenced was found stuffed in the side of the back side of the back seat that couldnt even been seen until the searching officer pulled down the removable seat. In addition to the corrections made, the was no testimony stated by any officer that john morgan had a 9mm gun on him. To the comments made about my previous comment on how a young lady should speak. I do have a high school education, and higher education. I was a teacher for 3 years, and now currently working as a caregiver for a dissabled elderly woman. So I must say my education has nothing to do with what I have to say. I only state my concerns to this case. If you knew someone close to you was being accused of a crime they did not commit, I'm sure anyone in my position would not have any less of a reaction to the comments and incorrect reports made. On the comment of Johnnys mugshot. They dont tell you when their taking your picture and he was simply licking his lips when the photo was taken. I know this man very well, and does not deserve to be incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. He does not deserve to loose his family over any alligations made.
I also forgot to comment that the supposed burglary was commited a month prior to the burlington inncident, and jenkins had used one of the stolen credit cards at a window repair shop and was seen picking up the vehical.
Damn illegals.