By: John Hardin
Today the Arkansas Board of Pardons and Parole denied parole for Tim Howard. Needless to say, we are heartbroken. Tim is an innocent man who spent over a decade on death row in Arkansas before being granted a new trial based on the prosecution withholding evidence from his original defense team. The state retried Tim in May, charging him with 3 capital counts, 3 first degree counts, and 3 second degree counts. After a 2 1/2 week trial and hours of deliberations, very late on a Friday night the jury acquitted Tim of all capital and first degree counts, but convicted him of all three 2nd degree counts.
We strongly believed at the time that the verdict was a compromise reached in the jury room, a belief that has since been confirmed. The expectation was that Tim would be released by now, having over-served his time based on sentencing guidelines and the apparent will of the jury. Instead, he was informed that it will be another two years before his next parole hearing. He is very disappointed, but continues to be appreciative of all the support he has received. Updates to follow.
Here’s some media coverage: KATV, Arkansas Times