Iowa Man Found Guilty in 10-Year-Old Girl’s Murder Case
In a solemn courtroom decision, Henry Earl Dinkins, a 51-year-old Iowa man, was declared guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the tragic case of Breasia Terrell. Breasia, a 10-year-old girl, went missing on July 10, 2020, sparking an extensive search effort involving volunteers and law enforcement agencies. Her remains were discovered eight months later in a pond in a rural area north of Davenport by fishermen.
The sentencing for Dinkins is scheduled for October 11, where he could face a mandatory life sentence in prison.
The prosecution had charged Dinkins with the kidnapping and fatal shooting of Breasia. She had been staying overnight with her half-brother and Dinkins, who was her half-brother’s father.
Dinkins had a prior criminal record as a registered sex offender, stemming from a third-degree sexual abuse conviction in 1990 when he was 17 years old.
Judge’s Verdict and Emotional Impact
Judge Henry Latham delivered the verdict after a thorough review of the evidence, occasionally pausing as he grappled with his emotions. Latham stated, “The court finds beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant was the last person seen with Breasia. He had taken custody of her, had no authority to do so and had removed her from the apartment from which he had authority to care for her with the specific intent to inflict a serious injury upon her. As a result of that removal, Breasia suffered death.”
The courtroom erupted in cheers from spectators as deputies removed Dinkins following the verdict.
Trial Details and Lack of Physical Evidence
Throughout the two-week trial, the defense emphasized the absence of physical evidence connecting Breasia and Dinkins, such as blood or semen at the locations prosecutors claimed they were before her death.
Prosecutors, however, presented testimony suggesting that Dinkins’ roommate had noticed both Dinkins and Breasia missing from the apartment at 3 a.m. on July 10. Prosecutors alleged that Dinkins took Breasia to a location where he sexually assaulted and ultimately killed her.
Dinkins’ son provided investigators with details about accompanying his father to purchase bleach at a Walmart and visiting a site that matched the description of where Breasia’s body was discovered months later.
The trial had been moved to Cedar Rapids due to a change of venue granted by the Iowa Supreme Court. However, just before the trial’s commencement, Dinkins opted to have the case heard by a judge, leading to the trial’s relocation to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport.