A Tennessee Man Said He 'Just Snapped' on the Way to Walmart. Then, He Fatally Shot His Wife in Front of Their 7-Year-Old Son.

May 27 2023, Published 2:54 p.m. ET
A man from Tennessee was handed a 35-year prison sentence for murdering his wife in the presence of their 7-year-old son.
On July 14, 2018, the family was headed to Walmart to pick up food for their boy’s birthday party, officials said.
At some point while driving, Joanie Brady Hendricks stopped the car in Soddy-Daisy. Her husband, Brandon Ashley Hendricks, 42, pulled out a handgun and fired five shots at his wife, hitting her in the head. Brandon then called 911.
Hendricks was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder, but he entered a negotiated plea to second-degree murder, officials said. He took the plea after two different mental health experts examined him and both concluded that a plea of insanity could not be sustained.
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During the sentencing, Hendricks addressed the crowd, saying, “I am so, so sorry that this happened. I wish I could take it back.” He added, “She’s the girl that I married. She’s the girl that I loved,” Chattanoogan.com reported.
Hendricks’ young son also took the stand, asking his father why he did it. Hendricks replied, “I don’t know. I just snapped.”
Hendricks also got a concurrent 15 years for aggravated child endangerment, authorities said.
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