Alabama man says he was looking for a lost cow before he went to his nephew’s house. Now a jury has convicted him of killing his nephew’s wife
A jury convicted Timothy Houston Harville of murder on Wednesday, according to People. The 61-year-old man faced charges for the fatal shooting of his nephew’s wife, 46-year-old Angela Berryman Hill Harville. Along with the murder conviction, the jury found Timothy Harville guilty of unlawful imprisonment, menacing, and first-degree burglary.
The incident occurred at the Berryman’s home in the Hatton community of Lawrence County, Alabama. When officers arrived at the residence around 6:30 p.m., they said they found the victim unresponsive after receiving a report about the situation. According to a news release from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, investigators determined the shooting followed an argument. Witnesses stated that Timothy Harville pointed a shotgun at Angela Harville and shot her in the head.
District Attorney Errek P. Jett provided details on Timothy Harville’s claims about his presence at the home. Timothy told authorities he was searching for a lost cow when he went to the house, which sat about a half mile from his own residence. Jett noted that Timothy claimed he was out in the pasture looking for a cow earlier that day. However, Jett explained that their accounts differed after Timothy left the pasture and arrived at the house.
Prosecutors say his story and theirs split at the front door
Timothy alleged he went to the home because he saw an unknown man standing inside the door. He said he grew concerned as he knew his nephew was at work. Jett stated that Timothy claimed he got into a heated exchange with this man, who was a friend of the couple. Court testimony painted a different picture of the confrontation. Jett said testimony showed Timothy arrived at the door agitated. A witness testified about the exchange between Timothy and Angela.
According to this witness, Angela said, “Go ahead and blow my brains out,” before the witness heard a gunshot. Jett stated that Timothy then allegedly said, “There you go, b****.” Angela’s teenage son and the couple’s friend were also at the home that evening, per earlier testimony.
Defense attorney Paula Bassham stated that her client maintains his innocence despite the conviction. She told the outlet that he left the scene while Angela was still alive and well. Bassham maintained that there is no physical evidence linking him to the crime, including no blood, DNA, or shotgun.
Timothy, who works as an electrician and farmer, had been arrested in December 2022 on charges of shooting into an occupied dwelling or vehicle and two counts of reckless endangerment. He was out on bond when Angela Berryman Hill Harville was killed.
The jury reportedly told the judge it was stuck a day before the verdict
Deliberations began on Tuesday, and jurors told the judge later that day that they were deadlocked, according to WAFF. As the judge ordered them to keep deliberating, the jury returned Wednesday morning and found Timothy Harville guilty on all four charges.
At a December 2023 preliminary hearing, Lt. Adam Lentz testified that a search of Timothy Harville’s home turned up a 12-gauge shotgun. Lentz said the gun used the same size ammunition as a shell casing recovered at the scene, as reported by the Moulton Advertiser. However, that testimony described a shared ammunition size, not a confirmed ballistic match.
Under Alabama law, murder is a Class A felony, which carries 10 to 99 years or life in prison. As prosecutors say a shotgun was used, the state’s sentencing statute could require a minimum of 20 years. Timothy Harville’s bond has been revoked ahead of a sentencing hearing currently scheduled for January 7, 2027, according to the district attorney.
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