Joseph Graham found guilty in home invasion murder

CLARKSVILLE — A Clarksville man could face life plus more than 200 years in prison after being convicted Friday of felony murder and a slew of other charges in the 2013 home invasion slaying of Miles Hendrick.

After a four-day trial and about four hours of deliberation, Joseph Graham, 29, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree felony murder, especially aggravated burglary, seven counts of especially aggravated kidnapping and five counts of especially aggravated attempted robbery.

The two counts of first-degree felony murder were because Hendrick was killed during the commission of two felonies: burglary and robbery.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Nash told the jury during closing arguments Thursday that it was not the state's contention that Graham and two other men went to the home where Hendrick was shot with the intention to kill anyone. But, he said, they were armed and they did plan to break into the home and rob the occupants, and because Hendrick was killed when he fought back, that makes all three equally guilty of felony murder.

None of the residents or visitors knew the three intruders, Nash said.

"This is just as random as you can get," he said Friday. "There is no connection with any of the victims and defendants. This house was picked at random."

The man accused of shooting Hendrick, Curtis O'Neil Shelton Jr., faces trial in 2017.

Kentavius Cheeks, who pleaded to second-degree murder in the case earlier this year and testified against Graham this week, will serve 100 percent of a 25-year sentence negotiated with the state in exchange for his testimony.

Cheeks told the jury that he, Graham and Shelton were riding past a Ranch Hill Drive home where a party was in progress and decided to rob the occupants because they appeared to be easy targets.

Easy-target robbery led to slaying in Clarksville

They returned to the home early on the morning of July 21, 2013, as the party was winding down and broke into the home through the garage. They bound seven victims and Graham guarded them while Cheeks and Shelton looked for valuables upstairs, according to testimony.

But when Hendrick and then several other men broke free of their restraints, they began beating Graham and he called for help, Cheeks said.

Shelton was armed with a gun and came downstairs and shot Hendrick, Cheeks said.

The three fled and Graham was treated for a broken collarbone later in the day. Cheeks confessed in April 2015.

Assistant District Attorney Art Bieber said Graham could face life in prison plus more than 200 years for the various other counts.

Circuit Judge William Goodman set Graham's sentencing for Feb. 14.

Reach breaking news reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at 931-245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf.