Along with what Laughing stated above the gun had half the serial number filed off which is also enough reason to have it tested and there's no telling what George Henry told them that night. During a polygraph he was dishonest about some of the things he said regarding the gun. He told them he got it from a truck driver but it turns out he really got it from his brother but I personally believe this story could be partially true. It's possible he did get it from a truck driver. That is he got it back from a truck driver.(I do not believe Henry was the killer)
Unless you prefer a cover up in this case, then it becomes obvious. Here's a man in possession of a gun with half the serial number gone, not to far from the murder scene and he's drunk. Maybe just what they were looking for. LE initially said the murder weapon was a .38 caliber but later changed it to a .357 magnum. A .38 shell can be fired in a .357 but not vice versa.
What I would like to know is the circumstances under which George Henry was caught that night. Did they question him? What was he doing there? Where was he coming from and where was he going to? And most importantly of all, was he alone? For all we know he could have had the killer in the car with him.
These are things we do not know because after 42 years LE doesn't see fit to tell us.
