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.”