The Texas Attorney General's Office will take over prosecution of Houston attorney Michael Howard, who is accused of shooting and killing his adult son and burning the body at a Sabine County property, San Augustine County District Attorney Paul Robbins said. District Judge Jim Payne signed an order transferring the case after Robbins filed a motion to recuse his office. Robbins said the recusal followed an opinion from the attorney general's office that local prosecutor staff could become necessary trial witnesses.
Investigators completed a Texas Rangers review into the Dec. 1, 2024, death of Mark Howard, 68, who had Down syndrome. Robbins said Michael Howard called the district attorney's office the next day and spoke in detail with the chief investigator, saying it was his first contact with law enforcement.
Sabine County officials said, according to an affidavit, that Howard waited about 17 hours before reporting the shooting. He claimed he mistook his son for an intruder, washed the scene and burned the body about 1.5 miles away. The Sabine County Sheriff's Office said Howard faces charges including murder, desecration of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. He was previously held on a $10 million bond.