• Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our Boards
    • Our Supporters
  • What We Do
    • What is MAIP?
    • Causes of Wrongful Convictions
    • F.A.Q.
  • Victories
    • Exonerees
    • Legislative Victories
    • Other Accomplishments
  • Take Action
    • Contribute
    • Volunteer
    • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Ask for Help
    • Media Inquiries
  • Donate Now

Aaron Michael Howard

HOWARDOn August 5th, 2008, Aaron Michael Howard was released from prison after serving almost twenty years for a crime he did not commit.

In 1990, Howard and three co-defendants were convicted of the 1988 murder of Bobby Parker in South East, DC. There was only strong evidence against Howard’s co-defendants, and yet all four men were sentenced to 21 years to life.

In 2002, Howard reopened his case for investigation under the DC Innocence Protection Act. Six years later, Howard’s legal team filed an amended motion to exonerate him. The team had declarations from eyewitnesses and all three of his co-defendants stating that Howard did not take part in the crime. His co-defendant’s declarations also established the involvement of another individual whom the government had failed to investigate fully.

The new statements were corroborated by a vast amount of evidence, including forensic evidence and testimony introduced at trial, eyewitness accounts the government possessed but did not present at trial, and other documentary evidence that had emerged in the years since Howard’s conviction. The lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Anthony Quinn, withdrew from the case, stating that he could no longer defend the jury’s guilty verdict.

In July of 2008, prosecutors offered Howard a deal. If he agreed to a voluntary manslaughter conviction, then his other convictions and sentences would be vacated, and he would be released. Facing the prospect of a second wrongful conviction, and having already spent two decades in prison, Howard agreed to the deal.

On August 5, 2008, Howard left prison. Howard now lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife, Gabrielle. “The agreement… is not perfect,” Howard said in a written statement. “It is not perfect because, although it allows me to maintain my innocence, it requires me to accept a conviction for a crime I did not commit.” Because of his plea, he is not considered officially “exonerated” and has received no compensation for wrongful conviction.

More about this case:

American University

The Washington Times

The Georgetown Voice

Share this:

  • Tweet
Previous Victory Next Victory

MAKE A DONATION

$

MAKE A DONATION

Thank you

News

Get Involved

WHO WE ARE

  • Our Boards
  • Our Team
  • Get Involved

WHAT WE DO

  • Victories
  • Ask for Help
  • F.A.Q.

Find us elsewhere



QuestionPro provides unparalleled insights and just launched enterprise features including Communities, Customer Experience, Workforce and Mobile.

©2021 Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project. All Rights Reserved.