Rodney James Hood was sentenced in Cherokee County Circuit Court on Wednesday, in connection with the 2007 shooting death of James Maurice Henderson.

Following negotiations with the District Attorney’s Office, Hood entered a plea of guilty, to the charge of Manslaughter.

He was sentenced by Judge David Rains, to a term of 20 years in the state penitentiary – under the split-sentence terms, he will be required to serve five years in prison, followed by five years probation – the 19 months which Hood has already served behind bars, will NOT be applied to the five year prison term.

He was further ordered to pay attorney fees in the amount of $2,500 and $766.50 in Court Costs – Hood was additionally ordered to pay $2,780.25 to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Committee for reimbursement for funeral expenses.

In November of 2007, James Maurice Henderson was shot to death at a residence located on County Road 472 in the Howell’s Crossroads Community – Hood was arrested a short time later after overturning his Pontiac Grand Prix at the intersection of County Road 31 and Highway 411.