Tulsa County grand jury indicts homeless man for the murder of a business owner

A Tulsa County grand jury issues a murder indictment for a homeless man who killed a downtown nightclub owner. <br/><br/>Shawn Howard[pictured right] was killed in an altercation with Terry Badgwell[pictured

Wednesday, December 8th 2004, 3:28 pm

By: News On 6

A Tulsa County grand jury issues a murder indictment for a homeless man who killed a downtown nightclub owner.

Shawn Howard[pictured right] was killed in an altercation with Terry Badgwell[pictured left] near the Deadtown Tavern. Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris didn't file charges against Badgwell, saying he acted in self defense.

Shawn Howard's family circulated a petition calling for a grand jury to look into the death. The grand jury returned indictments of first degree murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Howard's mother says she's pleased with the grand jury's action. Kay Howard, Shawn's mother: "It was so brutal. He deserved justice no matter what it took. He deserved justice. He deserved his day in court. He's not here to speak for himself. And we were determined to take it as far as we had to."

The News on 6 talked with District Attorney Tim Harris. He says he respects the grand jury's decision and will work with them any way he can.