By: Richard L. Smith
A Trenton man will spend the next 50 years in state prison after being convicted of attempted murder in connection with a 2022 shooting that left the victim permanently paralyzed.
The sentence was handed down on December 4 by Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw, according to Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton.
Henry Hutchinson, 40, was convicted on multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.
The jury also found Hutchinson to be a persistent offender under New Jersey’s "Three Strikes Law," leading to the lengthy sentence. Under the No Early Release Act, Hutchinson will be required to serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The charges stem from a violent incident on July 16, 2022, when Hutchinson shot the victim three times on the 100 block of Chambers Street in Trenton.
After firing twice and causing the victim to collapse, Hutchinson stood over the individual and delivered a third shot.
The attack left the victim paralyzed. Hutchinson was arrested two days later, and police recovered the .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver used in the shooting.
A Mercer County jury found Hutchinson guilty on September 25, 2024, following a two-week trial prosecuted by Assistant Mercer County Prosecutors Michael J. Mennuti and Jeffrey C. McElwee Jr.
“The jury’s decisive verdict and the court’s sentence reflect the seriousness of this crime and ensure accountability,” McElwee said.
The sentence, viewed as a just resolution by both the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the victim, underscores the commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.