Illinois Man Convicted of Mother's Murder with Bungee Cord

Neil Howard, a 46-year-old man from Troy, Illinois, has been convicted of the first-degree murder of his 60-year-old mother, Norma Caraker. Prosecutors argued that Howard strangled his mother with a bungee cord because he was frustrated with her dating life and refusal to give him money. The incident occurred on September 13, 2023, after Caraker returned home from a date. Howard, who was intoxicated, called 911 claiming concern for his unresponsive mother, but police found her dead with the cord around her neck. Despite the defense's claim of insufficient evidence and plans to appeal, Howard was found guilty and faces a possible 60-year prison sentence. Howard was previously investigated in a separate suspicious death of his father in 2005 but was not indicted.