Mother Wanting Justice for Her Son

As Kim Saunders awaits for the trials of Terrell and Heather Nowlin, it’s given her a lot of time to think about the potential sentencings they face if convicted. The death penatly is on the table for Terrell, and life in prison is possible for both. Saunder’s says she just wants justice to be served for her son, Tyler Hardin.

Tyler Hardin’s mother, Kim Saunders, is still coming to grips with her son’s death, and there’s still a piece of him with her when she gets visits from his two-year-old daughter, Markia.

"She sees Tyler’s picture, and she still says Daddy. It’s been a month today since she last saw him, and she still knows his picture, " Saunders says as she weeps.

It was exactly one month ago that Saunders filed a missing person’s report with the Zanesville Police Department, and less than a week later, the body of her son was found murdered in a shallow grave in Netwon Township.

Now, Terrell and Heather Nowlin are facing charges for their alleged involvement in his death. While both have pled not guilty, if convicted, Terrell could potentially face the death penalty.

"Sometimes I feel death’s too good for them, the easy way out. I really want them to think for the rest of their life, what they did, " says Saunders.

Saunders says she’s always been against the death penalty, but that all changed after the murder of her son. While she’s currently undecided, she does say she’s worried that with the death penalty, Terrell will sit on death row long after she’s gone.

"If they got life in prison without the possibility of parole, I will leave this world knowing that they will never get out, " says Saunders.

Saunders says Heather and Terrell both hold the same accountability for this crime, and she doesn’t feel they should be treated differently.

"They should not have the chance to ever live the life that they want. Tyler didn’t have that chance. They didn’t give him that chance, " says Saunders.

Heather Nowlin’s court date is slated for October 5th and Terrell’s is expected to follow two days later.