Thursday, February 2, 2012
The jury broke for deliberation about 2:30 p.m. today
- POLICE & FIRE
- Morgan Day
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Thursday, February 2, 2012
Erick Howard was caught on tape at Wal-Mart buying supplies to use in the Aug. 20 home invasion, Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Chryssa Hartnett said. There are incriminating phone records and firsthand accounts from co-defendants who implicated him. And a victim even identified Howard as the person who tied her up, robbed her and raped her in her bedroom, Hartnett said today during her closing arguments in Howard's trial. "To believe it was someone other than Erick Howard in that room, you would have to believe the mother of all coincidences has occurred and the stars have aligned to make all these other things coincidental." Hartnett presented her closing arguments about 12:45 p.m. today along with Rufus Sims, who's representing …
Defense Attorney Rufus Sims asked Michael A. Taylor and Seth R. Obermiller why they lied to North Canton police. Both men testified Wednesday against Erick M. Howard, who is accused of joining them in an Aug. 20 home invasion.
- POLICE & FIRE
- Morgan Day
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Thursday, February 2, 2012
The two men found guilty for their involvement in an Aug. 20 home invasion testified against Erick M. Howard Wednesday, saying they lied to police to either save themselves or their friend. Seth R. Obermiller and Michael A. Taylor testified that day in Howard's trial as part of a plea agreement and told Defense Attorney Rufus Sims they weren't truthful when questioned by North Canton police. Howard, 20, is accused of breaking into the home of a young North Canton couple, tying them up in their bedroom and robbing them at gunpoint. The Hoover High grad and two-time Mr. Football recipient also is accused of raping the female victim. He's charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, all carrying a firearm …
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The woman was one of three to testify in the trial of Erick M. Howard Tuesday
- POLICE & FIRE
- Morgan Day
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A 21-year-year-old North Canton woman recounted the most terrifying night of her life before a full courtroom. She spoke of Aug. 20, the night when she was bound and raped with a gun to her head. The woman testified in the trial of Erick M. Howard, 20, who is accused of breaking into the woman's apartment that she shared with her boyfriend, tying them both up and robbing them at gunpoint. Howard, a Hoover High grad and two-time Mr. Football recipient, turned himself in Oct. 4 and is charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, all carrying a firearm specification. His trial began Monday in Stark County Common Pleas Court. The female victim, who will not be named to protect her identity, told those in Judge …
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Attorneys expect to deliver their opening remarks this afternoon
Attorneys in the trial of Erick Howard are finally getting around to their opening statements after a day and a half of jury selection. More than 70 potential jurors were called into Stark County Common Pleas Court, and the court dismissed 26 Monday. Attorneys targeted a few areas of concern today, including whether the jurors could be fair and impartial after knowing Howard is a well-known athlete. Defense Attorney Rufus Sims also asked if jurors could be fair if Howard would chose not to testify this week. Chryssa Hartnett, assistant chief in the Stark County Criminal Division, asked potential jurors if they could be fair if they heard everyone involved in the incident (Howard, co-defendents and the victims) were associated with the …
Monday, January 30, 2012
Attorneys will likely wrap up jury selection and opening statements before lunchtime Tuesday
Attorneys plugged through jury selection all day today and will continue first thing Tuesday morning in the trial of Erick M. Howard. More than 70 potential jurors were called into Stark County Common Pleas Court, and the court dismissed 26 today. The rest will return at 8:30 Tuesday morning. Attorneys expect to deliver opening statements by lunchtime. Howard, 20, of North Canton, is accused of breaking into an apartment at Sunford Avenue SE Aug. 20. Police say he used duct tape to tie up a man and woman, raped the woman and robbed them both at gunpoint. Two others already have pleaded and been sentenced for their involvement. Howard turned himself in Oct. 4 and is charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, …
Friday, January 13, 2012
Judge Taryn Heath overruled a motion to suppress evidence today in Stark County Common Pleas Court
Defense Attorney Rufus Sims argued today that evidence submitted in the case against his client, Erick Howard, would lead to an unfair trial. Howard, a two-time Ohio Mr. Football recipient and Hoover High grad, is accused of breaking into an apartment at Sunford Avenue SE Aug. 20. Police say he used duct tape to tie up a man and woman, raped the woman and robbed them both at gunpoint. Two others already have pleaded and been sentenced for their involvement. Howard turned himself in Oct. 4 and is charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, all carrying a firearm specification. Today Sims argued that the female victim's identification of Howard was unreliable and should not be admissible as evidence in the case…
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Police arrested the 20-year-old North Canton resident about 2 p.m. today. He's suspected in the Aug. 20 home invasion in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue.
North Canton police have arrested Erick M. Howard, who is suspected in a home invasion and rape of a female resident in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue Aug. 20. Police arrested Howard about 2 p.m. today on charges of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; rape, a first-degree felony; and theft, a fifth-degree felony. Howard, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in at the Stark County Jail today, according to a news release from the North Canton Police Department. Stark County Jail officials said about 3 p.m. today that they don't have Howard booked into the jail yet. The Canton Repository reported today Howard will be represented by attorney Rufus Sims of Cleveland, who defended Anthony Sowell this summer in a serial murder …
Amelia Righthorn
9:23 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I think robbing and violating a woman over shadow the selling of marijuana in this case. more ›