BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Wendy Howard murder trial finally got its verdict from the jury on Friday. They found her not guilty on a count of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary self-defense, and involuntary manslaughter.
On Friday morning, the jury had sent a note to the judge saying they were hopelessly deadlocked. The judge brought them back into the courtroom to go over notes, and they entered and left several times before finally reaching a unanimous decision on four of the five counts.
The jury has remained split by 7 to 5 on the charge of manslaughter by the heat of passion. That charge would apply to someone who was in an uncontrollable rage when they killed someone else, especially if that person provoked them.
Howard shot and killed her ex-boyfriend Kelly Rees Pitts in Tehachapi back in 2019. Howard had found out that Pitts had sexually abused her two daughters not long before the shooting.
Prosecutors acknowledged that Pitts caused harm to the family, but said he should be in prison for that instead of dead.
The jury seems to have sided predominantly with the defense, which argued that law enforcement failed to bring Pitts to justice despite being made aware of the abuse before the shooting.
After court was released today, supporters with the Wendy Howard Defense gathered in front of the courthouse where lead organizer Courtney Morris spoke.
"This is not freedom," said Morris. "Let it be clear: It is release for now. But if this county wants to try to take Wendy Howard to trial again, let it be known that we will double down on our advocacy for Wendy Howard!"
Howard and her lawyer are expected back in court for a status court date where the prosecution will inform the court about whether or not it intends to retry Howard on the voluntary manslaughter charge. That court date is scheduled for November 18th.
