Kootenai County Prosecutors honest in the case of Howard murder

Coeur D’A Alene: Although Kendy Howard’s life was cruelly reduced, his presence was felt on Friday at the Kootenai County Administration building, when his family met with prosecutors, the police and others who helped investigate his death of 2021 and finally showed that she had been killed by her husband.

Daniel Howard was sentenced last March for second degree murder and domestic aggression. The prosecutors said he killed his wife for suffocation and then organized the scene so that she seems that she died for suicide. For the murder, Daniel Howard meets life imprisonment in prison without probation.

The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office was honored this week with the Outstanding Victims Services Award for 2024. The award, presented by the Association of Witnesses of Victims of Idaho, recognized the work of the County Prosecutors in the “Legal Battle Complex and heartbreaking “which was the case of Howard. .

“We were moved by the incredible work of the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office in the search for justice,” said Aleshea Boals, president of the Idaho victims witness association.

Tens of thousands of people from all over the country and from all over the world saw the trial for two -week murder were held live online, including boals.

He recalled the powerful statement of closing of the State, delivered by prosecutor Julia Schoffstall, who described Kendy Howard’s many reasons to live and the new life she was building, far from a controlling and abusive husband.

“You assured you that his story was not only told, but was honored,” Boals said. “More importantly, you were standing next to Kendy’s family, guiding them through their darkest and devastating moments with care and compassion.”

Brooke Wilkins, Kendy Howard’s daughter, praised investigators, prosecutors and other personnel who helped take her mother’s murderer to justice. She thanked Schoffstall and prosecutor Art Verharen for her dedication to the case.

“Feeling that you really met my mother through this was super significant,” said Schoffstall.

In turn, Kootenai County fiscal lawyer, Stan Mortensen, shared his appreciation for Kendy Howard’s family and the understanding and resistance they showed along a long and painful investigation and trial.

“They were patients,” he said. “They wanted justice and had to wait more than three years to get it.”

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s office played a key role. Mortensen praised Kcso’s efforts, including deputies who first arrived at the scene after Daniel Howard called 911, the detectives who followed the investigation for years later and the officers who stopped and arrested Daniel Howard on Friday by The night during the trial, when he was underway. Your way to Spokane International Airport.

Mortensen also highlighted the role of Lynn Acebedo, a forensic boss of Kootenai County. Acebedo meticulously photographed the bathroom where the police found Kendy Howard dead and took note of elements on the scene that did not seem correct, from the position of Kendy Howard’s body to the blood flow around the mouth and cheek.

These photos proved to be instrumental when the prosecutors challenged the findings of a spokane county doctor who initially determined that Kendy Howard died of a self -inflicted gunshot wound.

“Lynn was probably the first to say that Kendy was already dead when he was shot,” Mortensen said. “We could not have shown that this was a homicide and not a suicide if it were not for Lynn.”

Mortensen was excited when he read a letter of recommendation to his office of the Idaho Raúl Labrador attorney.

“Through its collective efforts, justice has been served. Kendy and his family have received the dignity, support and closure they deserve, ”he said, his hesitant voice. “Its commitment to equity and responsibility makes a deep difference in the lives of those affected by crime.”

Kootenai County Fiscal Lawyer, Stan Mortensen and AlesseShea Boals, president of the Association of Witnesses of Idaho victims, went to the community on Friday, when the county prosecutors were honored for their work in a case of murder of Alto de Alto profile.