What started as a routine fence repair in a Richmond backyard has ended with a decades-long prison sentence for one of the men on the job.
A Fort Bend County jury has convicted 31-year-old Devonte Dejon Howard in the April 2022 killing of his coworker, 38-year-old Miguel Granados Jr. Prosecutors said Granados was shot multiple times while the two men were fixing a fence behind a Richmond home. Howard later surrendered to investigators and led them to the murder weapon. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison and must serve at least half of that term before he can be considered for parole.
Verdict, Prosecutors and the Court
The guilty verdict came after a jury trial in the 502nd District Court, where Assistant District Attorneys Janie Korah and Michelle Anderson presented the case and Judge Mark H. Hanna presided. Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian M. Middleton pointed to the verdict as part of a recent run of murder convictions and publicly thanked jurors for their service. According to KPRC Click2Houston, Middleton said the decision delivered justice for Granados’ family.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
During trial, prosecutors laid out a timeline that began with a work assignment and ended in gunfire on April 20, 2022. They told jurors that Granados and Howard were repairing a fence in the backyard of a Richmond residence when Howard shot Granados multiple times, then fled the scene. Authorities said Howard later turned himself in and directed investigators to where he had left the murder weapon, according to ABC13.
Prosecutors’ Reaction
Lead prosecutor Janie Korah said in a statement that “a jury of 12 Fort Bend County citizens returned a verdict of justice for the family.” District Attorney Middleton noted there had been “two murder convictions a week apart” and praised both prosecutors and law enforcement for their work, as reported by FOX 26 Houston.
Sentence and Legal Context
Under Texas law, murder is a first-degree felony that carries a punishment range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison, plus a possible fine of up to $10,000. State law and the terms of the sentence mean Howard must serve at least half of his 65-year term before he can seek parole. For the statutory framework, see the definition of murder under Texas Penal Code.
