Court Reverses Hitman Convictions | Bakersfield News

A major legal twist: the Ninth Circuit just tossed two felony convictions against James Henrikson, who hired hitmen to kill rivals over an oil well dispute. The court ruled that under federal law, soliciting murder doesn’t automatically qualify as a “crime of violence” unless intent to cause death is proven — even if the killings occurred. The judges argued that accidental deaths tied to the solicitation could still trigger charges, but the statute’s wording doesn’t require proof of guaranteed intent. This puts the Ninth Circuit at odds with the Fourth Circuit, and while it could reduce Henrikson’s sentence, he’s already serving two life terms for other charges — so he’s not going anywhere. A chilling reminder: the law’s exact wording can reshape justice — even when the crimes are brutal. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/494965f9c9327faa