Relative of Warren murder suspect says he is ‘not an animal’

WARREN — A cousin of murder suspect Eugene M. Henderson says Henderson surrendered to police because he is innocent and not the “animal” that Tim Bowers, acting Warren police chief, called him.

“He cannot be called an animal. He’s the kindest person in the world,” Minion Patterson said today outside of Warren Municipal Court, where Henderson was arraigned on two counts of aggravated murder.

“I know in my heart that my cousin would not do this, especially to children. That’s the reason he turned himself in,” she said.

Patterson said she had a conversation with Henderson, 25, before he surrendered Thursday about whether he should leave the area.

“Why should I go anywhere if I didn’t do anything,” Patterson said Henderson told her.

Bowers, in announcing Thursday that arrest warrants had been issued for Henderson and Eugene Cumberbatch, said, “Any help would be appreciated to get these animals off the street.” Bowers also called the men murderers.

Henderson and Cumberbatch are charged with killing 11-year-old Lloyd McCoy Jr. and 26-year-old Marvin J. Chaney, 26, of Fifth Street Southwest in a drive-by shooting April 13 at a house on Wick Street Southeast.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com