06/21/2023
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, 29-year-old Marshje Treannah Swinson (pictured), of Pender County, was found guilty by a Duplin County jury of second-degree murder of Lonnel Henderson Jr., assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury to Shardonnay Langley. Superior Court Judge George R. Hicks of Cumberland County sentenced Swinson to two consecutive active sentences of a minimum of 240 months and a maximum of 300 months for second degree murder, followed by a minimum of 73 months and a maximum of 100 months for the consolidated felony assaults. These sentences will be served in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Jason McGuirt, and Lori Carroll.
On October 23, 2020, Wallace police officers were called to Wells MHP Lane in reference to a shooting with two victims. When officers arrived, Lonnel Henderson Jr. was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound, and Shardonnay Langley was found injured with an apparent grazing gunshot wound and a laceration from blunt force trauma. The criminal investigation would reveal that the defendant shot and killed the victim, 26-year-old Lonnel Henderson, outside of their residence at Wells MHP Lane in Wallace, North Carolina. The defendant and the victim were in a domestic relationship and had one child together. The defendant also assaulted the victim’s sister, 22-year-old Shardonnay Langley, with the firearm. Shardonnay Langley suffered a gunshot wound to her forehead. The defendant also struck Shardonnay Langley with the butt of the firearm in the side of her head without discharging the firearm.
The Wallace Police Department would like to thank the Duplin County District Attorney’s Office for their hard work and dedication in prosecuting this case. This was a successful investigation which led to a prosecution in which the defendant was held accountable for causing the death of one individual and injuries to another. On behalf of the Wallace Police Department, we extend our sincere condolences and hope this brings some closure to Mr. Henderson’s family.
