# Harmony Montgomery's killer father has murder conviction OVERTURNED in shock court ruling **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 11, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827 "2026-06-11T18:32:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/1 "2026-06-11T18:32:46Z")
WTH judge? Dude murders his daughter AND drags it around on his travels? AG says this monster will be retried. > **[New Hampshire court reverses father's murder conviction in case of missing...](https://apnews.com/article/harmony-montgomery-new-hampshire-missing-607b8988b51e7f955627acfacdc98870)** > > The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed a murder conviction for a man accused of killing his 5-year-old daughter. > [@](#): > > The New Hampshire Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a murder conviction for a man accused of killing his 5-year-old daughter and moving her corpse around for months before disposing of it. > > Though her body has never been found, police believe Harmony Montgomery was killed in 2019, nearly two years before she was reported missing. Her father, Adam Montgomery, was sentenced to a [minimum of 56 years in prison](https://apnews.com/article/harmony-montgomery-missing-girl-murder-trial-875e1c571c11c70d189f91ebe740b0b4) in 2024 after being convicted of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, falsifying evidence, witness tampering and assault. Link [N.H. attorney general to retry Harmony Montgomery’s father on murder charge - masslive.com](https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/06/nh-attorney-general-to-retry-harmony-montgomerys-father-on-murder-charge.html) > [@](#): > > The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office plans to retry Adam Montgomery on a second-degree murder charge in the death of his daughter, 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery — a missing girl whose remains have never been found. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/2 "2026-06-11T18:36:59Z")
Did you actually finish the article? They overturned it because in the unanimous opinion, combining some of the charges resulted in an unfair strengthening of the 2nd degree murder charge. Which they report will be redone. And… > The second-degree murder conviction accounts for 45 years of Montgomery’s 56-years-to-life sentence, which was imposed on top of an earlier 32 ½-year sentence he already was serving on unrelated gun charges. He’ll be in jail for at least 11 years (not counting parole, but also not counting any time they already still have to serve). I do see you’ve updated them going back to retry at least. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/3 "2026-06-11T18:38:29Z")
Did you read the entire article? The verdict was overturned because the state Supreme Court ruled that separate charges should have been tried separately. That’s all. It does not mean that the court has made any ruling, or voiced any opinion, on his guilt. It means a retrial. That’s all. Monster or not, everyone should be tried fairly for crimes for which they are accused. > [@](#): > > The Supreme Court, however, reversed the most serious charge, agreeing with Montgomery that the lesser assault charge should have been prosecuted separately. It sent the second-degree murder charge back to the lower court while letting the other convictions stand. > > In their unanimous ruling, justices said combining the cases jeopardized Montgomery’s right to a fair trial because jurors may have used the stronger evidence about the assault to conclude, based on weaker evidence, that he killed her months later. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/4 "2026-06-11T18:39:24Z")
I think there will be considerable expense to retry the case. But, for a murdered 5 year-old budgets don’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/5 "2026-06-11T18:41:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think there will be considerable expense to retry the case. Undoubtedly. Prosecutors appear to have f\*\*\*ed up in this case. @aceplace57 : do you see that your initial outrage on this may be a bit misplaced? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/6 "2026-06-11T18:42:13Z")
I sympathize with the frustration and cost. But _especially_ given the current state of the USA, I’m quite happy when the government’s manipulation of trials to secure convictions gets slapped down. And thankfully, there seems little to no risk he’ll be on the streets in the meantime, since he _seems_ utterly worthy of being behind bars. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/7 "2026-06-11T18:44:50Z")
I only want some form of justice for the child. Link [Murder of Harmony Montgomery - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery) The system really failed her. Remember custody was taken from the mom and given to the father. I don’t know the details of the custody case. I’d guess mom had some kind of issues too. I understand the courts will eventually get this guy and hold him fully accountable. > [@](#): > > American child who was allegedly murdered by her biological father Adam Montgomery in [Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire "Manchester, New Hampshire"), [New Hampshire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire "New Hampshire"), after a [Massachusetts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts "Massachusetts") judge awarded him custody. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/8 "2026-06-11T18:50:55Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I only want some form of justice for the child. She’ll get it. Nothing about any of this is _anyone_ questioning his guilt. The verdict was overturned because of how the prosecution conducted the trial. Is the guy a “monster?” Maybe? Probably? As @ParallelLines noted, we have an increasing problem in this country about unfair prosecution and unfair trials. It’s worth making sure that his guilt is adjudicated properly. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/9 "2026-06-11T22:59:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I only want some form of justice for the child. > Link [Murder of Harmony Montgomery - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery) > The system really failed her. Remember custody was taken from the mom and given to the father. > Adam Montgomery was charged with second-degree murder, and the trial began on February 8, 2024, in the [Superior Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_Superior_Court "New Hampshire Superior Court") in Hillsborough County. At the time of the trial, he was already in prison serving a 30 year sentence after a conviction for an unrelated gun crime the previous year, and he refused to attend court.[[24]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery#cite_note-nbc-24) Prosecutor Christopher Knowles took the case, while Montgomery was represented by Caroline Smith and James Brooks.[[25]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery#cite_note-25) > > Kayla Montgomery was also serving a prison sentence at the time of the trial, having earlier been convicted of [perjury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury "Perjury") due to lying to a Grand Jury about the events surrounding Harmony’s death.[[26]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery#cite_note-26) She testified against her now ex-husband Adam, who she said had been physically and emotionally abusive to her and Harmony, and said that he had beaten Harmony to death in December 2019, but that she had not spoken up as she still cared for him.[[24]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery#cite_note-nbc-24)[[27]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Harmony_Montgomery#cite_note-27) In other words, the key witness was his wife, a convicted perjurer. And no boby. This is some weird case. I have no doubt the man is guilty but this case was badly mishandled. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/10 "2026-06-12T02:07:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I don’t know the details of the custody case. I’d guess mom had some kind of issues too. > > I understand the courts will eventually get this guy and hold him fully accountable. So we’re good now? Do we at least get a “Never mind” out of this? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/11 "2026-06-12T15:19:10Z")
Sure, I’m good. I was never pit level angry. It’s aggravating that the prosecution screwed up, but shit happens. People aren’t perfect. This case is unusual because two different court rulings went badly for this completely defenseless 5 year-old. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/12 "2026-06-12T16:12:08Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > He’ll be in jail for at least 11 years (not counting parole, but also not counting any time they already still have to serve). Do you mean the sentences that stand without the gun charges are 11 years (56-45=11)? Or that the changes that stand _and_ the gun charges are 11 years? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/13 "2026-06-12T16:50:19Z")
My understanding only covers the first point you made, that 56-45=11, regarding the crimes that spawned the OP. However, according to this: > **[Father’s conviction in Harmony Montgomery’s murder is overturned](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/father-harmony-montgomery-conviction-murder-overturned-rcna349644)** > > The New Hampshire Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Adam Montgomery, accused of killing 5-year-old Harmony. Her body was never found. > Montgomery will not be freed from prison in the wake of the reversal. He is serving a minimum 32-1/2-year sentence in prison for unrelated gun crimes that began in 2023. Much of the reporting indicates (can’t confirm) that the remaining charges he is liable for would be separate and in addition to the pre-existing term. So it looks like the father has roughly 29 _years_ left to serve on just his prior convictions, and _probably_ another 11 after from the still standing assault/false reporting from 2019. Again, just parsing through a number of articles. As per reporting he’s 36 right now, so looking just at the roughly 29 (as a minimum) years left, he’s going to be pushing retirement age even without the additionally 11, and with them, well, I suspect he won’t be leaving the system alive. NOTE - I do endorse the retrial, and giving him a fair day in court, and seeing justice done. If the evidence supports it. I’m **not** saying that “he’s stuck in jail for life (more or less) anyway, who cares”. Just that even if, due to the negligence of the prosecution on the prior conviction and the difficulties of securing a conviction in absence of a body, the retrial fails to secure the conviction it may not matter. The net effect is still probably rotting in jail for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/14 "2026-06-12T18:04:19Z")
Thanks. That was my initial understanding of your post, then I seconded guessed and thought it might have meant potential minimum time. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harmony-montgomerys-killer-father-has-murder-conviction-overturned-in-shock-court-ruling/1030827/15 "2026-06-12T18:18:47Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > NOTE - I do endorse the retrial, and giving him a fair day in court, and seeing justice done. If the evidence supports it. Yeah, the fact that the only(?) witness against him was his wife- who was convicted of Perjury- is a bit unsettling.