An Alabama man has been convicted of murder following the tragic shooting of his nephew’s wife in September 2023. Timothy Houston Harville, 61, was found guilty of killing 46-year-old Angela Berryman Hill Harville, alongside charges of first-degree unlawful imprisonment, menacing, and first-degree burglary.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Timothy-Houston-Harville-110526-8a7d4ea688ba4a1080aa7ef1be3bb748.jpg)
The verdict was delivered by a jury on November 4, after a trial that examined the events leading up to the shooting, which occurred at Angela’s residence in the Hatton community on 13 September. Court proceedings revealed that an argument between the accused and the victim escalated, culminating in Harville allegedly using a shotgun to shoot Angela in the head.
According to a statement from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses at the scene reported that Timothy pointed the weapon directly at Angela before discharging it. The sheriff’s office received a call reporting an unresponsive female at a residence on County Road 161 at approximately 6:30 p.m., leading to the discovery of Angela’s body inside her home.
District Attorney Errek P. Jett presented evidence during the trial, including Timothy’s claim that he visited Angela to seek assistance in locating a cow he had lost. He alleged that upon arriving at her home, he saw an unknown man inside and believed his nephew was at work. This led to an altercation between Timothy and an acquaintance of the couple, which Jett described as having been heated.
Witnesses testified that Timothy was agitated upon arriving at the house, and Angela reportedly urged him to take drastic action, saying, “Go ahead and blow my brains out.” It was shortly after this exchange that a gunshot was heard, leading to Angela’s death. In a disturbing statement following the shooting, Timothy allegedly exclaimed, “There you go, bitch,” as noted by the prosecution.
Despite the conviction, Timothy’s defence attorney, Paula Bassham, maintains that her client did not commit the crime. She asserts that Timothy insists he left the premises while Angela was still alive. “There’s absolutely no physical evidence that linked him to this,” Bassham argued, citing the absence of blood, DNA, or the weapon itself at the scene.
Timothy Harville’s legal troubles did not begin with Angela’s death. He had previously faced charges in December 2022 for shooting into an occupied dwelling and vehicle, as well as for two counts of reckless endangerment. At the time of Angela’s tragic death, he was out on bond from those earlier charges.
The implications of this case have resonated throughout the local community, raising concerns about domestic violence and the potential for escalating altercations within familial settings. The authorities have continued to urge vigilance regarding signs of conflict that could lead to violence, encouraging individuals to seek help if they find themselves in similar situations.
As legal proceedings come to a close for Harville, the court’s decision serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise from domestic disputes. Angela Berryman Hill Harville’s family and friends are now left to grieve the loss of a loved one taken too soon. The case highlights the critical importance of addressing underlying issues of conflict and ensuring support systems are in place for those who might be at risk.
This conviction may also prompt a broader dialogue on the aggressive behaviour stemming from conflicts within familial and domestic relationships, urging communities and authorities alike to take proactive steps to ensure safety and prevent further tragedies.
About the Author
