i wanted to post this close to the second anniversary of what happened to Cortney Raquel Hensely and her friend Courtney Beard-------------IF YOU WANT TO DRAG RACE GET ON A RACE TRACK!!!!!

Cortney Hensley (L) and Courtney Beard (R) the day before 9/23/2005

Two convicted of drag racing, reckless homicide and other charges in teen's death 8/15/07
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. — A Tennessee jury convicted two men of reckless homicide Tuesday for killing a 17-year-old homecoming queen during a drag race on a busy Johnson City street.

After deliberating for seven and a half hours, the panel chose not to convict Bradley Mullins, 19, and David Phillips, 39, of the more serious charge of second-degree murder for killing Cortney Hensley. If convicted on that charge, they could have faced up to 25 years in prison. (VIDEO)

The jury also convicted both men of vehicular homicide for killing Hensley and reckless aggravated assault for causing the severe burns that Hensley's best friend, Courtney Beard, suffered during the fiery crash.

Mullins and Phillips were also found guilty of reckless endangerment and drag racing. At their sentencing July 31, they could face up to 15 years in prison. Judge Robert Cupp could also sentence them to as little as probation.

Mullins and Phillips did not express any emotion as the verdict was read.

Hensley and Beard were driving home on the night of Sept. 24, 2005, after picking up their homecoming pictures when they stopped at a red light. Hensley, 17, had just been crowned homecoming queen at David Crockett High School.

Prosecutor Al Schmutzer said that roughly a half-mile down the road, Mullins, who was driving a black Mustang, and Phillips, who was driving a red Viper, were revving their engines while waiting for a traffic light to turn green so they could race.

When the light turned green, Phillips pulled back, but Mullins raced through the intersection and slammed into Beard's Honda CRV at a speed estimated at 130 mph, Schmutzer said.

The crash caused the Honda to burst into flames. Hensley was killed, and Beard suffered burns over 30 percent of her body.

Schmutzer said he was pleased that both Mullins and Phillips were convicted on the same charges, because he believed that Phillips was just as responsible as Mullins for the crash.

"This is very important because we had a situation [where] we felt very strongly that Phillips was the instigator and egged it on and set it in motion," Schmutzer said.

Schmutzer argued for a second-degree murder conviction for both Mullins and Phillips, saying during closing arguments that both men knew that by engaging in a race on a busy street, "their conduct was reasonably certain to cause death or serious bodily harm."

He said that although each defendant reacted differently after being spotted by police officers, both demonstrated they knew what they were doing was criminal.

"Both of them wanted to escape getting caught," Schmutzer told the jury. "[Phillips] chose to back off and Mullins chose to flee."


Phillips has consistently denied drag racing against Mullins the night of the fatal crash, but chose not to testify.

Phillips' attorney, Richard Pectol, said his client was "obviously disappointed" by the jury's verdict.

Pectol said he found it hard to believe that the jury apparently disregarded the fact that three police officers who witnessed the race never mentioned it in their reports, which were written hours after the crash.

But Pectol told him that Phillips "still has hope and his family has hope" that the convictions will be overturned on appeal.

Mullins' attorney, Don Spurrell, said that after the verdict was read, Mullins "just came and hugged me, crying."

I'm not sure he even knows what happened," Spurrell said. "I think the kid is very confused as to what's going to happen. He's still scared and probably hasn't slept well for two weeks."

During closing arguments, Spurrell said Mullins "has always accepted criminal responsibility for this act."

"Of course he didn't exercise judgment. He was reckless beyond belief," Spurrell said. "He's guilty of being reckless, but not of knowingly killing Hensley or injuring Beard."

when we were teens we always thought we were invinseable, that all changes when we loose someone one we love. i used to think that very thing till April 4, 1989 when my girlfriend Tammy was in a car wreck, then in a coma till Jan. 30, 1990. that is the reason i choose to go in the Fire Service to help educate and let new teen drivers that they ARE NOT INVINSEABLE!! To my brothers and sisters in the Fire Dept please help keep teens alive, try to educate them on why not to drag race unless you are on a race track and also let them know the dangers of DUI. we see enough of these fatal wreck cuz of STUPIDITY (i know i cant save everyone, but i can try to save as many as i can) PLEASE DONT DRAG RACE AND PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! for Cortney Hensley and Courtney Beard's sake.