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Dzhokhar Tsarnaev— Case Archive
personpersonClarence HennigerClarence HennigerMIT police sergeant with decades of service on the department.← All People
Law enforcementMIT police

Clarence Henniger

MIT police sergeant with decades of service on the department.

Appeared2015 Federal Trial
127 lines·4 proceedings·3 mentions

About

MIT police Sergeant Clarence Henniger testified for the prosecution on Day 31 about finding Officer Sean Collier shot in his cruiser. He described seeing the cruiser near the Koch building around 10:20 p.m. on April 18, 2013, then returning after unanswered calls. He recalled detecting a slight pulse, requesting assistance, and helping Officer West remove Collier and begin treatment. Collier did not respond when West asked who had attacked him.

Henniger explained that he initially thought Collier's firearm was missing because one of the holster's retention features had been released and blood obscured his view. He said that impression was corrected after Collier was removed from the cruiser, when West saw the weapon still in its holster. Henniger demonstrated the release mechanism and described securing the gun belt.

Henniger also corrected his earlier caliber testimony, identifying the issued weapon as a .45 Smith & Wesson. A radio recording and five photographs were admitted without objection. The defense declined cross-examination.

Trial Record (4)

2015 Trial2015 Federal TrialJan 5, 2015 – Jun 24, 2015Called by prosecution

Clarence Henniger testified about finding Officer Sean Collier shot and helping provide emergency aid. He explained that Collier's firearm remained in its holster despite a released retention feature, correcting his initial impression that it was missing.

Day 20

Voir DireVoir Dire - Juror 520Mentioned

Summary

Juror 520 addresses a prior opinion of guilt, MIT connections, and an acquaintance with likely witness Henniger; no selection decision is recorded.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 31

DirectClarence Henniger — Direct ExaminationClarence HennigerWilliam D. Weinreb3highlights127lines spoken

Summary

Henniger described finding Collier shot, providing emergency aid, and securing his retained firearm. A radio recording and five photographs were admitted.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightAfter unanswered dispatch calls and two telephone calls that went directly to voicemail, Henniger returned and found Collier shot inside the running cruiser. He requested assistance and later detected a slight pulse.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightHenniger corrected his initial impression that Collier's gun was missing, explaining that it remained in the holster. Using Exhibit 691, he demonstrated the lowered second latch and the additional release button needed to remove the weapon.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightHenniger corrected his firearm testimony: the current issued weapon was a .45 Smith & Wesson, while the previous weapon was a .40 Sig Sauer. He confirmed that Collier carried a .45 that night.Open in transcript →

Day 43