HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has officially denied parole for Richard Henson, one of the men convicted in the notorious 2003 triple homicide at the Texarkana Outback Steakhouse.
Henson, now 42, is currently serving a 40-year sentence at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville. According to official records from the TDCJ, the parole board reached its decision on April 10, citing the extreme violence of the original offense.
Board Cites Public Safety Risk
The board’s report characterized the 2003 robbery and murders as “brutal,” noting that Henson’s actions demonstrated a “conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others.” Officials concluded that his release at this time would pose a continuing threat to public safety.
Under the current ruling:
Next Review: Henson will not be eligible for another parole hearing until April 2031.
Projected Release: His current projected release date is September 3, 2048.
A Tragedy That Shook Texarkana
The case stems from a Labor Day robbery in 2003 that remains one of the most tragic events in Texarkana’s history. Henson and co-defendant Stephon Lavelle Walter targeted the restaurant, resulting in the deaths of three employees:
Matt Hines, Manager
Chrystal Willis, Employee
Rebecca Shifflett, Employee (who was pregnant at the time)
Henson pleaded guilty in November 2005 for his role in the crime, which court records indicate netted the pair approximately $400 each.
The shooter in the case, Stephon Lavelle Walter, was convicted of capital murder in 2004. Walter is currently serving a life sentence at the Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas.
Henson had officially become eligible for parole consideration in March of this year, but following the board’s recent decision, he will remain behind bars for at least five more years before his case is revisited.
