Howard Arthur Allen

Overview

Howard Arthur Allen was sentenced to death on June 11, 1988.

Timeline

August 1974 — Allen invaded the home of Opal Cooper, an 85-year-old, and beat her to death in the course of a petty robbery. January 1985 — Allen was paroled. 18 May 1987 — A woman, 73 years old, narrowly escaped death when she was choked and beaten by a prowler in her home. Two days later (May 1987) — Laverne Hale, 87, was attacked in a similar fashion and died of her injuries on May 29. June 2 (1987) — A burglar ransacked the home of an elderly man five blocks from the scene of Laverne Hale’s murder; the tenant was absent and the prowler set the house on fire. July 14, 1987 — Ernestine Griffin, 73, was murdered in her Indianapolis home. August 4, 1987 — Allen was arrested on multiple charges. Early August (1987) — Police announced Allen was a prime suspect in eleven other cases involving robbery or assault of elderly victims in their homes around Indianapolis. Spring 1988 — Allen was convicted of burglary and felony battery in connection with the May 18 assault, with an additional count of habitual criminal behavior; he was sentenced to 88 years on those charges. June 11, 1988 — Allen was convicted of murder and robbery in the slaying of Ernestine Griffin, with members of his jury recommending the death penalty. August 30, 1988 — Sentencing occurred for the death-penalty case count and the murder/felony-murder structure described as “Death Sentence, 50 years - Murder/Felony Murder merged,” with sentencing dated August 30, 1988.

The offence

Ernestine Griffin murder (July 14, 1987)

Ernestine Griffin was murdered in her Indianapolis home on July 14, 1987. She was stabbed eight times with a ten-inch butcher knife. Her kitchen toaster was smashed repeatedly against her skull. Grieving relatives estimated the killer escaped with fifteen dollars and a camera belonging to Griffin.

A note with the name and phone number of Allen was found in the kitchen.

Allen’s account and earlier events leading to the Griffin investigation

Griffin’s neighbor, the person identified as living next to the dental office of Dr. Seaman, explained that Dr. Seaman knew her quite well. One day Griffin called and advised that a man had stopped by her house inquiring about an old car Dr. Seaman had for sale. Griffin stated that she had the man write down his name and number and she passed it along to Dr. Seaman: “Howard Allen 545-4109.” The next morning, Dr. Seaman walked over to her house and discovered Griffin’s body lying on the floor with a butcher knife in her chest. Griffin also suffered a blunt force injury to her face.

Allen at first denied all knowledge of Griffin or Dr. Seaman. Over several hours of questioning, he admitted that he had been in the home asking about the car and had struck her with his fist. He stated that he did so only after Dr. Seaman had insulted him on the phone and Griffin had cussed him. Allen then said: “I didn't stab the lady, but if I did, I need help.”

Investigation

A handwriting expert testified that Allen had written the note with the name and phone number found in the kitchen.

A co-worker at the car wash where Allen worked testified that Allen had given him a camera on the day of the murder to put in a locker. The camera was identified by serial number and the film still in the camera as belonging to Griffin.

The case broke on August 4, 1987, with Allen’s arrest on multiple charges. Witnesses linked Allen with the May 18 attack, which led to Allen’s indictment on charges of battery, burglary, and unlawful confinement. He was also charged with arson and burglary from the June 2 incident, as well as the murder of Ernestine Griffin.

The matter described that police were not finished with their suspect: Laverne Hale had been a neighbor of Allen’s, living directly behind his house, and she remained a suspect in her murder based upon the killer’s modus operandi. In early August, detectives announced Allen was a prime suspect in eleven other cases involving robbery or assault of elderly victims in their homes around Indianapolis.

Arrest

Allen was arrested on multiple charges on August 4, 1987.

Trial

Charges and conviction structure (Griffin case)

Allen was convicted of murder, felony-murder, and robbery (A Felony) in connection with the slaying of Ernestine Griffin.

A jury recommended the death penalty.

Related convictions and habitual criminal behavior (May 18 assault)

On the spring 1988, Allen was convicted of burglary and felony battery in the May 18 assault, with an additional count of habitual criminal behavior.

Sentencing

May 18 assault convictions (spring 1988)

He was sentenced to 88 years on those charges.

Griffin case sentencing (June 11, 1988 and August 30, 1988)

Allen was sentenced to death June 11, 1988. Sentencing is also given as August 30, 1988 with the description: “Death Sentence, 50 years - Murder/Felony Murder merged.”

Other offences described (background on elderly victims)

Opal Cooper (August 1974)

In August 1974, at age 24 years, Allen invaded the home of 85-year-old Opal Cooper and beat her to death in the course of a petty robbery. Allen was convicted on a reduced charge of manslaughter and received a term of two to twenty-one years in state prison.

May 18, 1987 assault survivor

On 18 May 1987, a woman 73 years old, of Indianapolis narrowly escaped death when she was choked and beaten by a prowler in her home.

Laverne Hale (May 1987; death May 29)

Two days later, Laverne Hale, 87, was attacked in a similar fashion and died of her injuries on May 29. The narrative described that raids continued and referenced Laverne Hale in relation to later events.

June 2, 1987 arson

On June 2, a burglar ransacked the home of an elderly man five blocks from the scene of Laverne Hale’s murder; the tenant was absent and the prowler set the house on fire.

People

• Howard Arthur Allen — defendant.
• Ernestine Griffin — victim; 73 years old.
• Opal Cooper — victim; 85 years old.
• Laverne Hale — victim; 87 years old.
• Dr. Seaman — associated dentist; involved in the phone insult described in Allen’s statement.
• Griffin — name used for the caller who advised about the man stopping by her house and relayed “Howard Allen 545-4109” to Dr. Seaman.
• Michael Newton — named as “An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans.”
• Howard — name used in the narrative referring to Allen.
• A co-worker at the car wash where Allen worked — provided testimony about Allen giving a camera to be put in a locker.
• A handwriting expert — testified that Allen wrote the note.

Disposition of the case

Allen was convicted in the Griffin case and sentenced to death June 11, 1988.