Greek Court Hands Light Sentences In Killing Of Austin Man

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Six men escaped murder convictions in a Greek court this week in the brutal beating death of an Austin man last year, according to media reports.

Verdicts handed down on Thursday were a blow to the family of Bakari Henderson, 22, of Austin, who was killed at a bar in Laganas, a tourist village located on the Greek island of Zakynthos, in July 2017.

According to reports, an argument ensued after Henderson asked if he could take a selfie with a waitress at the bar. One of the men argued with the waitress over the proposed selfie before a fistfight broke out among customers and two bar employees, the Post reported. The ensuing beating was so brutal, Henderson was dead within 30 seconds, media outlets reported at the time.

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CBS News reported Henderson's parents were in the courtroom when the sentences were handed down. Punishment ranged from five to 15 years, but not murder convictions hoped for by the slain man's family. The rulings were appealed by a Greek prosecutor, according to reports.

Family members were in disbelief over the light sentences: "You should not be able to chase a man down and beat him to death and not go to jail," Henderson's mother told media outlets before breaking down in tears, as CBS News reported.

Watch: Security Video Shows Deadly Brawl In Greece

All told, nine defendants were on trail — seven Serbia nationals, one Greek and a Brit of Serbian ancestry. All claimed not having intended to kill Henderson, and three were exonerated. The stiffest sentence went to the British national, who was handed a sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm. One of the Serbs got a 10-year sentence, three drew seven-year terms and another five years — all for lesser assault charges.

After the verdicts were read, media reports reported he defendants were seen smiling, hugging and exchanging high-fives in the courtroom.

A recent business graduate from the University of Arizona, Henderson was in Greece on a working holiday with friends with plans to shoot promotional video for his line of apparel.

According to accounts, there was a racial undertones to the killing. When the waitress posed for a selfie with Henderson, CBS News reported, a man nearby told her: "There are a lot of Serbs in the bar Why are you talking to a black guy?" before hitting Henderson in the face, prompting the Austin resident to hit the man back.

After the brawl moved outdoors, a mob of men chased Henderson down the street to unleash the brutal beating.

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>>> Photo of Bakari Henderson via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner.