Child's testimony helps convict mother's boyfriend of murder
A child helped convict her mother's killer after testifying against him in court.
DENVER (KDVR) — A child helped convict her mother's killer after testifying against him in court.
According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, on Wednesday, Daniel Howard, 36, was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Shayla Bryan. An Arapahoe County jury convicted Howard of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and motor vehicle theft.
This conviction came after the brave testimony of Bryan's daughter.
The DA said on Jan. 18, 2024, Bryan called her 10-year-old daughter on the phone. During the phone call, the daughter and her aunt heard gunshots. The Aurora Police Department arrived on scene to find Bryan unresponsive, and the coroner determined she was injured from three gunshot wounds.
The investigation later found that Howard took off in Bryan's car after the deadly shooting and was arrested a few weeks later, on Feb. 1, 2024.
The DA said Bryan's daughter told police after the shooting that she heard Howard's voice on the other end of the call. Bryan's daughter also testified against Howard in court, ultimately leading to a guilty verdict after a three-day trial.
“I commend this little girl’s courage and strength to testify against her mother’s boyfriend,” Senior Deputy DA Kathleen Tierney said. “Her credible testimony left no doubt in the eyes of the jury as to who pulled the trigger that day.”
Howard's sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Feb. 13. The DA said that under Colorado law, a first-degree murder conviction comes with an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole.
What's Your Reaction?
