Man could face death if convicted of killing elderly woman, indictment says
7/15/2009The Toledo man accused of attacking several elderly people in separate incidents including the beating of an 88-year-old woman that resulted in her death will be eligible for the death penalty if convicted of her murder, according to an indictment released Wednesday.
A Lucas County grand jury indicted Edgar Howard on aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and attempted murder. He is charged in the death of Frances Fox, who was found beaten in her Mulberry Street home in early May.
Included in the murder charge were three specifications that make him death penalty eligible killing or attempting to kill two people, killing someone in the commission of an aggravated robbery, and killing someone for the purpose of escaping apprehension.
Howard, 47, is accused of killing Ms. Fox and severely beating her husband, Kenneth Fox, in their home at 3373 Mulberry St. Authorities said Mr. Fox continues to recover from the injuries he received during the assault.
Police were called to the Fox home May 5 after receiving a desperate call for help. Mr. Fox, who police believe was unconscious since the assault either late May 1 or early the next day, called 911 requesting help.
His wife had already died of blunt force trauma.
The case remained unsolved until Howard was charged with the murder July 7. Police said he was a suspect in the case and that DNA evidence placed him at the scene.
Howard also faces charges of robbery, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault in separate attacks on a 99-year-old man and 88-year-old man in their North Toledo homes.
In both cases, he is accused of assaulting the men and robbing them of a few dollars.
Howard remains in custody of the Lucas County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond.