MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – A Troy, Illinois, man appeared in Madison County Circuit Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for killing his own mother.
Neil Howard, 46, was sentenced to 30 years in state prison and must serve 100% of that sentence.
Earlier this year, a jury convicted Howard of first-degree murder for the death of his mother, Norma J. Caraker, following a week-long trial.
Caraker was found strangled in the bedroom of her home around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2023, as Troy police responded to a call for a wellness check from Howard himself. Police said Caraker had a bungee cord wrapped around her neck. She was 60.
During trial, evidence and testimony indicated Howard was upset about his mother’s dating life. Caraker was killed shortly after getting back home from a date.
Howard lived in the basement of Caraker’s home on Lower Marine Ro prior to the murder.
Prior to sentencing, prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 45 years, citing prior arrests involving incidents with other family members.