DOB: 03-04-1964 DOC#: 942131 Black Male
Vanderburgh County Circuit Court
Judge
Richard L. Young
Prosecutor: Brett Niemeier
Defense: Dennis Vowels, Michael Danks
Date of Murder: May 27, 1993
Victim(s): Chris Fillbright W/M/22; Denise Powers W/F/22 (neighbor and her friend)
Method of Murder: shooting with handgun
Summary: Denise Powers was sitting in her car in the parking lot of Green River Manor Apartments in Evansville, waiting for her friend, Chris Fillbright. As Fillbright reached for the passenger door handle, Prowell approached him from behind and shot him in the head. Prowell then shot twice more through the passenger window, striking Powers in the face and back. Both Powers and Fillbright died. Prowell fled, running over the body of Fillbright as he went. He was later arrested in Benton County, and the murder weapon and ammunition was recovered from his car. He later gave a statement admitting his involvement in the shootings.
Conviction: Pled guilty to Murder (2 counts)
Sentencing: May 5, 1994 (Death Sentence)
Aggravating Circumstances: 2 murders
Mitigating Circumstances: no significant history of prior criminal conduct, grew up in dysfunctional family, may have been physically and emotionally abused, extreme mental or emotional distress, paranoid personality disorder
Direct Appeal:
Prowell v. State, 687 N.E.2d 563 (Ind. November 4, 1997)
Conviction Affirmed 5-0 DP Affirmed 4-1
Dickson Opinion; Shepard, Selby, Boehm concur; Sullivan dissents
against DP.