FROM: The Office of District Attorney General Jody Pickens, 26th Judicial District

Henderson County Man Convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder, Felony Reckless Endangerment, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony

On October 5, 2021, the Henderson County, Tennessee Grand Jury indicted now 28 year old, Johnny Wayne Bass, Jr. for the offenses of Attempted First Degree Murder, Felony Reckless Endangerment, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

The indictment stems from a domestic incident that occurred on January 11, 2021, in Lexington, Tennessee. The investigation revealed that Bass shot the female victim in the head, back and shoulder while she was in close proximity to an infant who also lived at the residence.

On November 29, 2022, a Henderson County jury convicted the Defendant of all counts of the indictment. When the defendant is sentenced by Judge Don Allen on January 20, 2023, the Defendant will face up to 33 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

General Pickens stated, “Unfortunately, domestic violence continues to be a significant problem in the 26th Judicial District.

“The Lexington Police Department did an outstanding job with the investigation which allowed Assistant District Attorney General Josh Dougan to put forth a case which resulted in the jury finding the defendant guilty of all charges.

“Additionally, two citizens who witnessed parts of the incident came forward and gave testimony which no doubt factored into the jury’s decision. Their courage stands as an example of how an involved citizenry can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to make our community a safer place to live.

“Any person that shoots another person multiple times and in doing so endangers the life of an infant, deserves a lengthy prison sentence. I am glad that the victim survived and I wish her a long and fulfilled life moving forward.”

As stated above, the case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney General Josh Dougan of the domestic violence prosecution team and investigated by the Investigator Wendy Nichols, and Patrolmen Jeremy Cox, Zachary Siegler, and Josh Reed who were all members of the Lexington Police Department. Additional support was provided by Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Heather Brown, West Tennessee Legal Services and Womens Rape and Resource Assistance Program (WRAP).