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Two Denton County men are currently in the Grayson County jail having been arrested for their roles in the murder of Cory Lee Wain Petty which took place in Howe in 2019.

Howe Police Officers arrested Hussein Mahmoud Azab, 23, in The Colony, wile Kenny Nietcho, 26, was arrested in Frisco. Officers from The Colony Police Department assisted with the arrests. The arrests came less than 48 hours after a Grayson County Grand Jury returned sealed indictments against both suspects in relation to the 2019 murder.

Azab was indicted on three charges: Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery, and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary of a Habitation. Nietcho was indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary of a Habitation.

District Attorney Brett Smith stated, “These arrests and indictments are the culmination of a three year investigation. We commend the hard work of the Howe Police Department and Texas Rangers for helping to secure the indictments and for promptly arresting these suspects.”

According to the indictment records, the Grand Jury in District Court for the 59th Judicial District believed Azab intentionally or knowingly caused the death of Petty by stabbing or cutting with a knife.

Because the case was presented to a Grand Jury prior to the arrest, the indictments were sealed and unsealed after the arrests. Azab and Nietcho will have court dates and arraignments upcoming. They will then be required a jury trial.

Smith and other officers present could not comment on facts pending litigation.

Howe Police Chief Hudman added that he expressed deep appreciation to the Texas Rangers and the police departments from Sherman, Denison, and McKinney for their assistance during the murder investigation.

Texas Ranger Sergeant DPS Division Heath Peacock said, “I know this is important especially to the citizens of Howe and of Grayson County. Going forward they’ll know that the efforts are being put in by the officers that are involved in these cases. Even though these cases aren’t easy to put together, and they don’t always come fast. But the efforts are being made to put people behind bars and to bring victims justice in these cases.”

HOWE, Texas – A call for a medical emergency at a residence in Howe this morning led police to finding more than a half-pound of methamphetamine.

At around 9:45 a.m., a man called 911 to report his 47-year-old girlfriend was suffering a medical crisis, and when Howe police and Howe Fire Department arrived, they found the woman unresponsive. Life-saving measures were ineffective and the woman, who will not be identified, died at the scene. The investigation into her death is ongoing, but foul play is not suspected at this time.

While investigating the death, Howe officers noted signs of drug activity and obtained a search warrant for the residence. The search uncovered more than eight ounces of methamphetamine, heroin, pills, and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia, including scales and baggies.

The homeowner, Jeffrey Lynn Brown, 47, was arrested and booked into the Grayson County Jail for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces a $10,000 fine and up to 99 years in prison.