Eugene “Big U” Henley’s heartbreaking request to stand beside his family at his son Jabari’s funeral has been shut down by a federal judge.
The 58-year-old, locked up in Los Angeles on sweeping federal charges, had begged for a brief release to say goodbye in person.
Jabari Henley, 34, was gunned down on Halloween night in South Los Angeles.
The killing remains unsolved.
His younger brother, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, stunned fans when he returned to the field the next day and helped lead his team to a win despite the devastating loss.
Prosecutors urged the court to deny Big U’s request, insisting he remained a danger even behind bars. They pointed to accusations that he has continued exerting influence inside the Metropolitan Detention Center and involving outside associates in questionable activity and allowing him even a single day of freedom would pose too big a risk.
The judge sided with the government, ruling that Henley will stay put but he will be allowed a private viewing of Jabari’s body and a supervised video connection to watch the funeral from custody.
Henley was arrested in March after prosecutors unveiled a massive indictment accusing him and several others of extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and the killing of 21-year-old Rayshawn Williams.