GUILTY FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*

[Niner]

Friday, March 13th:
*Pretrial Hearing (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 3/16/20.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 1/31/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
2/24/20 Update: Attorneys argued whether the specific details about the condition of Naomi's remains were important evidence or just gory details meant to draw an emotional response from jurors. Prosecutors want an expert to be permitted to testify that, among other things, wounds Naomi sustained during sexual battery may have attracted marine life to the girl's remains. Defense attorneys counter that there is no evidence or testimony to suggest Jones had any open wounds, and that the testimony would just be a roundabout way of suggesting to jurors that there was evidence of a sex crime when no such evidence existed. Judge is weighing both arguments and is expected to issue a ruling in the coming days. Next hearing on 3/4. For Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9/20 @ 9am. 3/4/20: Both cases will be heard on 3/9, murder case will be heard at 11am.
3/9/20 Update: State Attorney Bill Eddins announces today that additional witness information & evidence has developed in the Howard case," a release states. "As a result of those developments and evidence, it is no longer appropriate to seek the death penalty in this case." Jury selection for the case begins next Monday 3/16 in Escambia County. Next pretrial hearing on 3/13.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

 

[Niner]

Next for murder charges - 3/16/20 @ 9am - Jury Selections begins

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 16th:
*Jury Trial set to begin (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 3/16/20 with jury selection.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 16th:
*Jury Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 3/16/20 with jury selection has been continued to 3/30.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been moved to 3/30/20.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

 

[Niner]

Mom of Naomi Jones reaches $2 million settlement with apartment owner

March 30, 2020


Naomi Jones' mother has reached a settlement with Aspen Village Apartments' management and ownership in a lawsuit alleging negligent security at the complex led to her 12-year-old daughter's murder.

On Monday, attorneys for Shantara Hurry announced they had settled with complex owner, Aspen Village Acquisition LLC, for $2 million. Hurry also reached a settlement with management group, Progressive Management of America Inc., under confidential terms.

 

[Niner]

Florida jury trials, many other court proceedings suspended through May 29

April 6, 2020
Trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at courthouses across the state, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady on Monday extended a suspension of jury trials and many other in-person court proceedings through May.
[.....]
Initial suspension: Florida courts suspend trials to slow coronavirus, postponing Naomi Jones murder trial

The order extended the suspension of criminal and civil jury trials, jury selection and grand-jury proceedings through May 29. It said circuit and county courts will “continue to perform essential court proceedings,” such as first-appearance hearings and criminal arraignments, bail hearings for people in jail, juvenile-delinquency detention hearings and hearings to determine whether people should be involuntarily committed under the Baker Act.

 

[Niner]

Court system in Northwest Florida backed up due to Coronavirus according to state attorney

April 15, 2020

Pensacola, Fla (WKRG)- State Attorney Bill Eddins says jury trials are suspended until the end of May because of Coronavirus. Eddins says as a result, case numbers are climbing.

“It’s a major problem,” Eddins said. “Particularly with the cases such as the Howard case, which is the one where the defendant is charged with killing Naomi Jones.”

Eddins says the trial of Robert Howard has been postponed until June 1st. Howard is accused of murdering 12-year-old Naomi Jones back in 2017. The trial was suppose to start in March.

“There’s a possibility or probability that it will be pushed back further than June 1st based on what I’m seeing,” Eddins said.

 

[Niner]

sorry - a week late....

Accused killer of Naomi Jones still awaits trial, she would have turned 15 today

April 15, 2020

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Wednesday, Naomi Jones would have turned 15. But her life was taken from her at the age of 12.
[.....]
Prosecutors say Howard kidnapped and killed Jones. His trial is currently scheduled to start June 1.

On Wednesday, birthday balloons were put up where Jones’ remains were found in 2017 to celebrate Jones’ 15th birthday.

 

[Alice253]

sorry - a week late....

Accused killer of Naomi Jones still awaits trial, she would have turned 15 today

April 15, 2020

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Wednesday, Naomi Jones would have turned 15. But her life was taken from her at the age of 12.
[.....]
Prosecutors say Howard kidnapped and killed Jones. His trial is currently scheduled to start June 1.

On Wednesday, birthday balloons were put up where Jones’ remains were found in 2017 to celebrate Jones’ 15th birthday.

I really hate to "like" this. We should have a "sad" one to choose from. This young girl stole my heart from the very beginning. And she should be alive and enjoying her teenage years!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 29th:
*Pretrial Hearing (Sex Offender violation) (@ 8:30am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 3/16/20 with jury selection moved to 4/20/20 was postponed due to coronavirus & rescheduled for 6/1/20.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been moved to 3/30/20. 3/28/20 Update: Trial will now start on 4/20. 4/6/20: Trial has been postponed due to coronavirus – and rescheduled for 6/1/20.
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady on Monday, 4/6/20 extended a suspension of jury trials and many other in-person court proceedings through May. The order extended the suspension of criminal and civil jury trials, jury selection and grand-jury proceedings through May 29.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

 

[Niner]

for Sex Offender charge:

Next hearing on 6/24/20 @ 9am

JAIL View

 

[Niner]

Since I can only get into the jail site - I have to idea "when" this will be rescheduled. It has no date for the murder charge. If anyone has access to actual court site for Escambia County (Case #2017-CF003142A) - please post any info! TIA!

Monday, June 1st:
*Jury Trial set to begin-CANCELLED! (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 6/1/20-cancelled.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been moved to 3/30/20. 3/28/20 Update: Trial will now start on 4/20. 4/6/20: Trial has been postponed due to coronavirus – and rescheduled for 6/1/20.
5/31/20 Update: No longer on jail site for trial date as of 6/1/20.
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady on Monday, 4/6/20 extended a suspension of jury trials and many other in-person court proceedings through May. The order extended the suspension of criminal and civil jury trials, jury selection and grand-jury proceedings through May 29.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20. 4/29/20: Next pretrial hearing on 6/24.

 

[Alice253]

Niner, I tried, but it's not bringing anything up for me.

 

[Niner]

Niner, I tried, but it's not bringing anything up for me.

Thank you Alice for trying! I'll keep looking at the jail site - every other day or so to see if it changes.

 

[Niner]

Sex Offender violation:

Next Hearing:
August 19, 2020 at 9am

link: JAIL View


No update on murder charge....

 

[Niner]

2017 CF 003142 A - STATE OF FLORIDA vs. HOWARD, ROBERT LETROY

Date Event Judge Location Result

7/6/2020 9:00 AM JURY SELECTION BERGOSH, GARY L M.C. BLANCHARD JUDICIAL BUILDING

this is per Jim_M

 

[Niner]

@Jim_M - is there any update in the court site for the murder charge? I truly do not think that jury selection is going to start tomorrow....
You can post it here in this thread!

TIA!

 

[watcher9]

I may have missed it but was the additional information/evidence ever revealed?

State Attorney Bill Eddins said Wednesday afternoon “that additional witness information and evidence has developed in the Robert Letroy Howard case. As a result of those developments and evidence, it is no longer appropriate to seek the death penalty in this case. The mother of the victim was consulted and is in agreement with this decision.”
State Will No Longer Seek Death Penalty In Naomi Jones Murder : NorthEscambia.com

 

[Niner]

I may have missed it but was the additional information/evidence ever revealed?

State Attorney Bill Eddins said Wednesday afternoon “that additional witness information and evidence has developed in the Robert Letroy Howard case. As a result of those developments and evidence, it is no longer appropriate to seek the death penalty in this case. The mother of the victim was consulted and is in agreement with this decision.”
State Will No Longer Seek Death Penalty In Naomi Jones Murder : NorthEscambia.com

Yes, you must have missed that - as I have it in my notes already that the DA will not be seeking DP. The article is from March by the way.

 

[Niner]

Monday, July 6th:
*Jury Selection set to begin-CANCELLED! (re murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Jury selection was set to begin on 7/6/20-continued.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been moved to 3/30/20. 3/28/20 Update: Trial will now start on 4/20. 4/6/20: Trial has been postponed due to coronavirus – and rescheduled for 6/1/20. 5/31/20 Update: No longer on jail site for trial date as of 6/1/20.
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady on Monday, 4/6/20 extended a suspension of jury trials and many other in-person court proceedings through May. The order extended the suspension of criminal and civil jury trials, jury selection and grand-jury proceedings through May 29.
6/1/20 Update: Jury trial has been cancelled. Next jury selection on 7/6/20. 7/4/20 Update: No longer lists date in jail site.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20. 4/29/20: Next pretrial hearing on 6/24. 6/14/20 Update: Pretrial hearing for 6/24 has been rescheduled to 8/19/20.