Less than a year after being released for murder, man gets 10 more years in prison

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A man who pled guilty to murder almost 20 years ago, was sentenced to another 10 years in prison on Wednesday.

According to court documents, 36-year-old Harold Waller shot and killed 16-year-old Johnny Townes on February 8, 1993. Waller was 17 at the time.

It happened in the 4300 block of Southwest Anthony Wayne Drive. Police said they found Townes dead in the street. A man named Jay paid Waller $3,000 to kill Townes. Waller agreed and shot Townes in the head with a handgun.  Detectives said Waller did get the money. Witnesses told police they overheard Waller at the Wood Youth Center telling someone he killed Townes.

Waller was arrested for the murder and appeared in court.  He pled guilty to murder on October 7, 1993.  On November 5, 1993, Waller was sentenced to 40 years, of which the first 30 years were ordered to be served.  The remaining 10 years were suspended.

As part of his sentence, Waller was put on probation for ten years following his release from prison. Since his release on April 21, 2011 Waller was found in violation of the rules and conditions of his probationary order as follows:

• Waller didn’t maintain good behavior.  He resisted Law Enforcement, Class D Felony on October 12, 2012 in Elkhart County, Indiana.
   
• He didn’t pay fees or restitution in a timely manner. Waller owes $3,554.47.

Waller is facing another allegation that he failed to maintain good behavior for a conviction of False informing, Class B Misdemeanor, on January 22, 2013.

Waller pled guilty during his initial hearing on Wednesday morning. He asked to serve his 10 years of probation in prison since he violated the terms. The judge agreed to that.