Zachary Howell, a 40-year-old man from Youngstown, OH, was tragically found shot to death and burned beyond recognition in a burned-out SUV on February 20, 2017. His body was discovered behind a vacant house on Edgar Street and Josephine Avenue on the east side of Youngstown. The investigation revealed that Howell had been shot in the head twice before the SUV was set on fire.
The case took a significant turn when police linked Lyric Moore, 25, and Terrell Martin, 40, to the crime. Moore was accused of luring Howell out of his home to be robbed, while Martin was identified as the shooter. Moore's cell phone was found at the crime scene, which helped police trace the crime back to her and Martin. Moore entered guilty pleas to charges of involuntary manslaughter, amended from aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In exchange for her plea, two other charges and the firearm specifications in the case were dropped.
Martin, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to charges of murder and aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison. During the investigation, Martin attempted to take his own life and left a note for his family on a wall in the interview room. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the lengths to which individuals might go to cover up their crimes.
The Howell family, deeply affected by the loss, expressed mixed feelings about the legal proceedings. Zachary Howell Jr., one of Howell's sons, stated that he thought the trial was unfair and that the sentences handed down did not match the severity of the crime. Despite the legal outcomes, the family continues to seek closure and justice for Zachary Howell.
The case remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime on families and communities. The legal proceedings and the sentences handed down to Moore and Martin serve as a testament to the pursuit of justice, even in the face of immense tragedy.
