Haine announces first degree murder charge in strangulation of Troy woman
By Devese “Dee” Ursery
durserry@timestribunenews.com
Tom Haine, Madison County State’s Attorney on Thursday, Sep. 14, disclosed that a Troy man has been charged with the death of his mother.
Neil Howard, 44, Troy has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, in the death of Norma Caraker, 60 for allegedly strangling her in a house they shared.
Prosecuting attorney alleges Howard, son of Caraker, strangled her with the intent of killing her. At Approximately 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 12, Troy police were dispatched to the 600 block of Lower Marine road for a wellness check. Upon their arrival to the scene they were met by Howard and discovered Caraker on the floor unresponsive and not breathing. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful and she was pronounced deceased on the scene.
“I commend the Troy Police Department and the assisting agencies for their tireless, thorough work,” Haine said. “Thanks to the efforts of our local police agencies and the efforts of community leaders, past and present, we have safe neighborhoods in Madison County. The state’s attorney’s office will continue to send a strong message that we intend to keep our communities free of violence.”
Howard was taken into custody without incident. The defendant’s bond has been set at $ 3 million by Associate Judge Ronald Siemer and he remains in custody at the Madison County jail.
According to court documents Howard is being charged with two class M first degree murder charges, which carry a sentence anywhere from 20 years to life in prison in the state of Illinois.
