Story perspectives

NH Court Splits Murder Trial, $15.5M Verdict Sparks Outcry

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled the murder and assault counts must be tried separately because the assault evidence risked prejudicing jurors.
The attorney general’s office will seek a retrial on the overturned murder charge.
A civil jury ordered Montgomery to pay roughly $15.5 million in damages to Harmony’s estate.
The state settled a $2.25 million claim with Harmony’s mother, prompting criticism that child-protective services prioritized parental rights over the child’s safety.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, Congress enacted Megan’s Law after the murder of nine-year-old Megan Kanka, mandating nationwide child-abuser registries and stricter oversight of protective services. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families paid $5 million in settlements that year, reflecting heightened accountability for failures to protect vulnerable minors. Today, the New Hampshire Supreme Court split murder and assault trials, echoing Megan’s Law’s push for separate charges and civil penalties. The precedent suggests state agencies will face intensified judicial scrutiny and larger compensatory awards, prompting legislative reviews of child-protective protocols nationwide.

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Story summary

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled the murder and assault counts must be tried separately because the assault evidence risked prejudicing jurors.
The attorney general’s office will seek a retrial on the overturned murder charge.
A civil jury ordered Montgomery to pay roughly $15.5 million in damages to Harmony’s estate.
The state settled a $2.25 million claim with Harmony’s mother, prompting criticism that child-protective services prioritized parental rights over the child’s safety.

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