ASHLAND,OHIO - Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell announced that Howard Dwayne Walters, age 60, pled guilty to multiple charges, including Aggravated Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Robbery, and Tampering with Evidence, in connection with the murder of Kurtis Harstine. Walters was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 33 years.
The plea and sentencing took place in the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas before Judge Janet R. Burnside, who was appointed to preside over the case by the Ohio Supreme Court after Judge David Stimpert recused himself due to a conflict of interest
On January 27,2023, Kurtis Harstine was found deceased from two gun shot wounds inside a residence on Township Road 851. At the time of his death, Mr.Harstine and his wife were in the midst of a divorce, and the residence on TR 851 had been the marital home. Following a lengthy and thorough investigation, law enforcement identified and charged Howard Dwayne Walters, Mr.Harstine's father-in-law, as the perpetrator. Walters was later indicted with charges that included the possibility of the death penalty
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Under the plea agreement, Walters received the following sentence:
•Aggravated Murder (Count One)-Life with the possibility of parole after 30years
•Firearm Specification-3 additional years
•Aggravated Burglary (Count Four)-10 to 15 years
•Aggravated Robbery (Count Six)-10 to 15 years
•Tampering with Evidence (Counts Seven, Eight, and Nine)-30 months each
Pursuant to the agreement, the sentences for Aggravated Murder and the Firearm Specification will run consecutively, while all other sentences will run concurrently. As a result, Walters will not be eligible for parole until he has served 33 years in prison.