Houston lawyer Michael C. Howard is accused of fatally shooting his son, Mark Howard, at their Sabine County property. Authorities allege he delayed reporting the incident for 17 hours and attempted to destroy evidence.
A Houston lawyer named Michael C. Howard, 68, is being charged with the death of his 20-year-old son Mark Howard after a terrible accident at the family's home in rural Sabine County. Authorities say Howard shot his son because he thought the boy was an intruder, but he didn't call the police for 17 hours.
Investigators say Howard tried to get rid of evidence by hosing down the spot and cremating his son's body during the delay. When officers were finally called to the property, they found problems that made them suspicious.
At a press conference, Sabine County investigator Joseph MacDonough talked about the alleged timeline. He said that Howard apparently talked to his wife and Mark's older brother before calling the police. MacDonough said, "This is a sad case with many unanswered questions."
Mark Howard, who has Down syndrome and is said to be "high-functioning," was living with his father at the time of the event. The reason for the long wait in reporting the crime is still unknown, but Howard's actions after the shooting are being looked into by police because they think they may be an attempt to hide the crime.
Howard has a $10 million bond and is being held in the Sabine County Jail. Investigators have talked to his wife, but she is not currently facing any charges.
A lot of people are talking about this because of how serious the claims are and how tragic it was that Mark Howard died. Concerned people who work with disabled people have called for justice and a better understanding of what happened before the killing.
As the investigation goes on, the case's legal and emotional issues are likely to come to light, allowing us to learn more about who is responsible for what and how they acted.
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