Crime & Safety

Lake Elsinore Man Accused Of Suffocating His Wife To Stand Trial For Murder

Ted Preston Howard, 59, could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 17 slaying of 66-year-old Jeannette Howard.

A man accused of suffocating his wife in their Lake Elsinore home in an unexplained attack during which the woman was bound at the hands and feet must stand trial for murder, a judge ruled Friday.

Following an hourlong preliminary hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Mandio ruled there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial in the case and set a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for April 12.

Mandio ordered Howard to remain held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center.

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According to sheriff's investigators, the defendant allegedly tied his wife up, binding her hands and ankles, then wrapped a garbage bag tightly around her neck, asphyxiating her.

according to court papers.

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In the ensuing 18-minute conversation between the defendant and a 911 operator, he was repeatedly asked what had happened in the home, to which he continually answered, in an emotionless voice, "I don't know" and "Send the police."

"Can you tell me what happened to her until the deputies get there?" the operator asked at one point.

"She's dead," Howard replied.

they discovered Jeanette Howard's body on a hallway floor.

Sheriff's Investigator Gary Bowen testified Friday that the house was "filthy" and cluttered, with cats crawling all over the place.

Jeannette Howard apparently took in felines whenever she found them.

According to Deputy District Attorney Burke Strunsky, the defendant never made any admission or gave any clues as to what might have precipitated the alleged killing.

It's unknown how long the couple were married.

Instead, they say the home seemed abandoned.

"We’ve always thought that house was vacant. It was always closed up … there were sheets on the windows," Lori Day, 44, told Patch.

“In four months I have never seen anybody at that house. I’ve never seen a wife at that house," Day said. "Nobody watering the yard. Nothing’s ever open. The windows are never open. The blinds are never open."

Just once in all that time, Day said she spotted a man drive out of the garage, back up and close the garage door.

Clarence Fulton, 77, said he’d occasionally see Ted Howard and another man at the residence, but not a female.

“I can’t remember ever seeing a woman,” he said, noting that he had only spoken to Howard once, during a quick passing at the local Home Depot store. --City News Service and Toni McAllister contributed to this report.


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