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Howell pleads guilty to manslaughter
By Carl Mickelson, Staff Writer
Saturday, April 22, 2006 | No comments posted.
One of the men facing murder charges in connection with the stabbing death of an Empire man last October, pleaded guilty Friday morning to first-degree manslaughter, attempted murder and second-degree assault charges.
According to a press release from Coos County Chief Deputy District Attorney R. Paul Frasier, Christopher S. Howell, 27, of Coos Bay, is scheduled to be sentenced for the crimes on Aug. 8.
The manslaughter charge is in connection with the death of Steven Morris, 46, of Empire. Morris was stabbed to death at his home located at 764 Schetter Avenue on Oct. 9. An autopsy revealed Morris had been stabbed at least four times, with two wounds to the neck and face area.
During Howell's plea statement, Frasier said, Howell denied stabbing Morris and Mickey Stiltner, another man in the house at the time, but acknowledged he aided and abetted another person in those stabbings.
The second-degree assault plea is in connection with Stiltner's injuries.
Under Oregon law, a person who aids and abets another in committing a crime is subject to the same penalties as if the person had actually committed the crime in person.
Stiltner suffered a stab wound to his back, but survived the ordeal. A third man, Jack W. Robinson also was stabbed that night. He made a 911 hang-up call from a pay phone at McKay's Market, 130 N. Cammann St., which brought police to the scene.
He remained in the hospital for several days, but survived.
Morris admitted to the court he stabbed Robinson, the press release indicated, resulting in the attempted murder plea.
All three crimes are considered Measure 11 crimes, which sets mandatory prison terms for 16 designated violent and sex-related offenses. First-degree manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, attempted murder 7 1/2 years and second-degree assault nearly 6 years.
A judge could order Howell to serve the sentences consecutively, for a total of 23 1/2 years, or concurrently.
A codefendant in the case, Christopher P. Poulain, 20, is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday for an omnibus hearing, when it will be determined whether the statements Poulain made to police at the time of his arrest are admissible in court.
Coos County District Attorney Paul Burgett said Poulain has not been charged with aggravated murder and would not be.
“At this point, we don't have enough evidence that would warrant an aggravated murder charge,” Burgett said. “To charge aggravated murder you have to show that the defendant personally killed the victim.”
The prosecution hoped to get a break in the case with DNA evidence, but it never happened, Burgett said.
“We were unfortunate in terms of the evidence we got,” Burgett said.
The absence of an aggravated murder charge means Poulain would not face the death penalty.
Howell originally faced murder charges, two counts of attempted murder, first and second degree assault and burglary.
“In exchange for the pleas he made, the other charges that were in the indictment we are going to dismiss,” Burgett said.
Burgett said the DA's office is satisfied with the settlement.
“You have the case you have,” Burgett said. “In this particular case we would not have negotiated this unless it was the right thing to do.”
According to a press release from Coos County Chief Deputy District Attorney R. Paul Frasier, Christopher S. Howell, 27, of Coos Bay, is scheduled to be sentenced for the crimes on Aug. 8.
The manslaughter charge is in connection with the death of Steven Morris, 46, of Empire. Morris was stabbed to death at his home located at 764 Schetter Avenue on Oct. 9. An autopsy revealed Morris had been stabbed at least four times, with two wounds to the neck and face area.
During Howell's plea statement, Frasier said, Howell denied stabbing Morris and Mickey Stiltner, another man in the house at the time, but acknowledged he aided and abetted another person in those stabbings.
The second-degree assault plea is in connection with Stiltner's injuries.
Under Oregon law, a person who aids and abets another in committing a crime is subject to the same penalties as if the person had actually committed the crime in person.
Stiltner suffered a stab wound to his back, but survived the ordeal. A third man, Jack W. Robinson also was stabbed that night. He made a 911 hang-up call from a pay phone at McKay's Market, 130 N. Cammann St., which brought police to the scene.
He remained in the hospital for several days, but survived.
Morris admitted to the court he stabbed Robinson, the press release indicated, resulting in the attempted murder plea.
All three crimes are considered Measure 11 crimes, which sets mandatory prison terms for 16 designated violent and sex-related offenses. First-degree manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, attempted murder 7 1/2 years and second-degree assault nearly 6 years.
A judge could order Howell to serve the sentences consecutively, for a total of 23 1/2 years, or concurrently.
A codefendant in the case, Christopher P. Poulain, 20, is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday for an omnibus hearing, when it will be determined whether the statements Poulain made to police at the time of his arrest are admissible in court.
Coos County District Attorney Paul Burgett said Poulain has not been charged with aggravated murder and would not be.
“At this point, we don't have enough evidence that would warrant an aggravated murder charge,” Burgett said. “To charge aggravated murder you have to show that the defendant personally killed the victim.”
The prosecution hoped to get a break in the case with DNA evidence, but it never happened, Burgett said.
“We were unfortunate in terms of the evidence we got,” Burgett said.
The absence of an aggravated murder charge means Poulain would not face the death penalty.
Howell originally faced murder charges, two counts of attempted murder, first and second degree assault and burglary.
“In exchange for the pleas he made, the other charges that were in the indictment we are going to dismiss,” Burgett said.
Burgett said the DA's office is satisfied with the settlement.
“You have the case you have,” Burgett said. “In this particular case we would not have negotiated this unless it was the right thing to do.”
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