Iowa Judge Gives Verdict In The Breasia Terrell Murder Case

Justice has been given to Breasia Terrell, the 10-year-old who disappeared and was murdered in July of 2020. Closure has also been given for her family as a verdict in her murder case has been reached.

On Friday, an Iowa judge gave his verdict in the case to Henry Dinkins, the man charged with her kidnapping and death back in July of 2020.

Get our free mobile app

Disappearance And Death Of Breasia Terrell

On July 10, 2020, Breasia Terrell was reported missing to the Davenport Police Department and was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing child. An Amber Alert was issued and she was also listed as a missing child with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

On March 22, 2021, 8 months after her disappearance, the Clinton County Sheriff, the Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Davenport Police found human remains in DeWitt, Iowa, near 270th Ave in Clinton County. The remains found were those of Breasia.

On May 5, 2021, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton and the Davenport Police Department announced that Henry Dinkins had been charged with Murder in the First Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree.

Judge Gives Verdict In The Breasia Terrell Case

On Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, a judge found Henry Dinkins guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 10-year-old Breasia Terrell, according to KWQC.

Dinkins, 51, will be sentenced on Wednesday, Oct. 11. With the guilty verdicts given by Judge Henry Latham, Dinkins faces a mandatory sentence of life without parole on both charges.

Dinkins' trial began Thursday, Aug. 10th with closing arguments taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 29th. During the two-and-a-half weeks trial, Dinkins did not testify. KWQC reports that criminal defendants are not required to testify or present any evidence because the burden of proof is on prosecutors. A defendant’s decision not to testify cannot be held against him or her.

Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel and Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. to discuss the verdict.