Overview
- A Fort Bend County jury found 31-year-old Devonte Dejon Howard guilty of murder on May 19, 2026, and a judge imposed a 65-year prison sentence late May 2026.
- Prosecutors said the April 20, 2022 shooting occurred in a Richmond-area backyard while Howard and 38-year-old Miguel Granados Jr. were repairing a fence and that Granados died at the scene after being shot multiple times.
- Authorities say Howard later turned himself in and led investigators to the location of the murder weapon, evidence prosecutors used at trial.
- Under Texas law, murder is a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life, and officials said Howard must serve at least half of his 65-year term before becoming eligible for parole.
- The case was handled by Assistant District Attorneys Janie Korah and Michelle Anderson in the 502nd District Court before Judge Mark H. Hanna, and Fort Bend County DA Brian M. Middleton said the conviction follows another recent murder conviction secured by his office.