‘Kingpin’ racks up multiple charges while awaiting trial for murder

<p class="p1">A man prosecutors called a “kingpin” was sentenced to life in prison as a habitual offender Friday in state district court. </p><p class="p3">Desmyne Joseph Henry, 28, was previously convicted of two counts of cocaine distribution and two counts of battery against a correctional officer and in August received a combined sentence of 36 years for those crimes. </p><p class="p3">While in jail awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge, Henry racked up additional charges, including ones for posing as someone else to try to escape, stealing a handcuff key, selling drugs, and stealing an officer’s cellphone. </p><p class="p3">The murder charge is in connection with the slaying of 31-year-old Domingo Lazalde in 2012.</p><p class="p3">“He did what he wanted and basically thought he could run the jail,” said prosecutor Ross Murray.</p><p class="p3">“We have write-up after write-up on him. He got in fights with other inmates, exposed himself in front of jailers, and even distributed drugs in jail. He’s not sorry for his crimes.”</p><p class="p3">Defense attorney Richard White said Henry wasn’t a violent man. </p><p class="p3">“It’s almost impossible to be in jail and not get into a fight or two,” White said. “But it’s ludicrous to describe him as a kingpin. He’s not a wealthy man. Des was a street-level dealer.”</p><p class="p3">White said giving his client a life sentence would be a “horrendous miscarriage of justice.” </p><p class="p3">Prior to being sentenced by Judge David Ritchie, Henry asked if he could speak to the court. </p><p class="p3">“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I’ve basically been in jail since I was 20,” Henry said. “But I want to better myself for my kids and my family. I’m a work in progress, and I just need another chance.” </p><p class="p3">Ritchie said he was accustomed to seeing Henry in his courtroom over the years and he asked the defendant, “How many chances should I have to give you? We’re here because Mr. Henry — time after time after time — would not comply with the law. The bottom line is, there’s a prescribed penalty for the circumstances we’re here for today.” </p><p class="p3">Under the state’s habitual offender law, Ritchie sentenced Henry to life in prison. </p>