COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - A Washington, D.C., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a Maryland towing company worker police say was strangled over a towing fee.
News outlets report Prince George’s County police announced the arrest of 24-year-old Damian Howard on Monday. He’s also charged with manslaughter and assault in the Sunday attack that killed 41-year-old Tarreak Butler. Police say officers were called to RPM Towing in College Park that morning and found Howard holding an unconscious Butler in a choke hold.
They say officers ordered Howard to release Butler, who was later pronounced dead. Police say Butler was killed by asphyxia strangulation. Police say Howard told officers that the two men had argued before he grabbed Butler.
Howard’s public defender says this is a case of “imperfect” self-defense.
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