Man Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter for Killing His Stepson

Howard Novak (DOB 03/08/54), of Simi Valley, was found guilty by jury of voluntary manslaughter with personal use of a knife for the killing of his stepson, Kelly Hughes, age 28.  

Novak stabbed Mr. Hughes to death in the late evening hours of August 4, 2016, at the home they shared in Simi Valley. Novak killed Mr. Hughes after Novak confronted him about not doing his chores earlier in the day.

Sentencing is scheduled July 11, 2019, at 10:45 a.m. in courtroom 14 of the Ventura County Superior Court.  Novak faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. He is being held in the Ventura County jail.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice

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