The New Hampshire Supreme Court has unanimously overturned the second-degree murder conviction of Adam Montgomery in the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Harmony. Justices ruled that combining Montgomery’s murder case with a separate assault charge negatively impacted his right to a fair trial.

Background of the Case

Montgomery’s wife, Kayla, provided the primary direct link between her husband and the child’s death during the 2024 trial. She testified that the family had been evicted and was living in their car in late 2019. Kayla told the court her husband became angry over Harmony having bathroom accidents in the vehicle and repeatedly punched the child in the head while they were stopped at red lights.

An affidavit states Montgomery allegedly placed the girl’s body in a duffel bag and moved it to multiple locations, including a ceiling at a transitional housing shelter. When the bag began leaking, he allegedly wrapped the body in plastic. DNA testing on the ceiling later matched Harmony. To date, the child’s remains have never been found.

Reaction to the Ruling

The adoptive parents of Harmony’s brother released a statement expressing intense frustration over the Supreme Court’s ruling. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office announced it will pursue a retrial on the overturned murder charge.

Addressing the court’s decision, Attorney General John Formella said, “This is a case and a story that has been really difficult for the city of Manchester, for the entire state, and our hearts just go out to Harmony Montgomery’s family, her loved ones, all those who knew and loved her and everybody who’s been affected by this case. We respect this decision, but we’re very disappointed by it.”

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.