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Dateline featured another chilling case, but this time it's the victim herself testifying for the long-term premeditated murder-for-hire case, after going through some life-altering surgeries. John "Frank" Howard of Ponder, Texas, was charged with attempting the murder of his then-wife, Nancy Howard, in 2012 and was sentenced to life in prison.
When the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Frank was living a double life and had an affair in California. From 2009 to 2012, he had hired several people to kill Nancy. But Nancy survived and tells her heart-stopping story on camera in the Dateline episode. The episode reveals several crucial details from the case. Here is the list of 5 harrowing details you must know, as shown in Dateline.
Here is the list of 5 harrowing details you must know, as shown in Dateline
1. Frank was trying to kill Nancy for years
As mentioned earlier, from 2009 to 2012, Frank Howard quietly funded and orchestrated multiple failed attempts to have his wife, Nancy, killed. All this while, he was also living a double life, maintaining a marriage in Texas and having another affair in California. Jamie Beck, the Denton County Assistant District Attorney, was making Nancy's final appeal to jurors before they decided on punishment. In the Dateline episode, he said,
"He plotted, day after day, week after week, month after month as he lived in the same home with Nancy Howard, all the while conspiring, planning his wife's execution."
2. The attack and Nancy's injury
On the day of the murder, August 18, 2012, Nancy Howard returned to their Texas home after attending church, and while she was in the driveway, she was shot in the head. However, the bullet had gone through her head and into her lung. After regaining consciousness, she dragged herself into her house and called 911 to ask for help.
She suffered life-altering injuries, costing her one eye and permanent brain damage. It was a miracle that she survived and testified later in court against Frank.
"I prayed through the whole incident and called on God to save me, and he did. He carried me through," Nancy Howard told ABC News when she entered the court.
3. Their children supported Frank initially
In a heart-wrenching court proceeding, Nancy told the jury that she loved Frank dearly and never suspected that he would try to kill her. Nancy was going through a lifetime betrayal when she referred to her husband as John, formally, and claimed she didn't know him anymore.
The couple also had three adult children who initially supported their father, believing him to be innocent. Nancy also accused Frank of "ripping the family apart," as it can never be the same now. The three children cited him as a "good man" in the court and also hoped to meet him in the future.
4. Double life of Frank
As mentioned, Frank was leading a double life, as a respected accountant and a church choir singer, along with his family in Texas and another in California with a mistress, plotting the murder plot of his wife and allegedly giving around $100,000 to various hitmen, all while pretending to be a good family man, as shown in Dateline.
Frank Howard, in his 50s at the time of sentencing, faced a life imprisonment sentence for attempted capital murder with a straight face. The prosecutors further concluded that this cold and calm demeanor mirrored the plotted attack and validated his crime.
5. Life sentence with a chance for parole
Howard will be eligible for parole after 30 years, meaning he could be in his 80s if ever released. The defense then argued for a lesser term for Frank, as Nancy has survived the injuries or probation, citing his age and lack of prior convictions and cooperation with investigators. The prosecutors demanded the maximum sentence possible for his deliberate and ongoing plotting of the crime.
Nancy Howard, however, said she could finally move forward:
“Justice was served. I’m grateful that God chose life for me and I plan to see what He has planned for me.”
Trending Catch the Dateline episode only on NBC.
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