Man wrongfully imprisoned for 26 years on life support

Timothy Howard, 53, was awarded $2.5 million in July. He was released from prison in 2003 after his convictions in a 1976 bank robbery and guard's murder were overturned.

"Tim fought fiercely and relentlessly not just for his freedom but for his innocence," said attorney James Owen, who worked for 10 years to help Howard gain his freedom and settlement. "He never lost faith that justice would prevail, but it took a big toll on his heart and soul."

Howard was in critical condition Monday at Grant Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. She said medical privacy laws prevented her from discussing Howard's illness.

According to The Dispatch, Howard's two sons and two sisters planned to meet with doctors Monday to decide whether to remove life support. He was stricken Friday, the newspaper said.

"Everybody's at peace with this," said his son, Dawan Jackson.

Howard served 26 years before he was exonerated in criminal court and released from prison based on new evidence - including fingerprints from the crime scene - that had not been made available to his attorneys during the 1977 trial.

Howard then had to prove his innocence in a civil case before he could seek a financial award from the state for wrongful imprisonment. A jury returned the "actual innocence" verdict last March.

Gary James, another Columbus man convicted in the bank robbery and murder, also was released from prison in 2003.

---

Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com

Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)