My name is Jess Bowman,
I'm Handicapped after being shot 3 times on November 11, 2007. I have had multiple surgeries on my leg, shoulder, and back and it took more than 3 years to learn how to walk again. My Fiance Sarah is also disabled after having multiple surgeries on her neck and spine after hurting herself at work and being a victim of a beating. Due to our handicaps and for self-defense I bought a gun and had a concealed pistol license.
If there was ever a perfect case of self-defense, this is it. On Wednesday, August 6, 2014, we were attacked in front of my house by a 6-foot-tall 240-pound male who was twice over the legal limit drunk and on 5 types of drugs. It's a known fact that alcohol and drugs can make people mean, aggressive, violent, and even stronger than they normally would be.
On Wednesday around 9 pm. I was in my pajamas talking to a friend on the phone, getting ready to tuck my mom into bed when Sarah came in and told me the guy came and got the fridge but when he tried to leave the fridge fell out of his truck and broke glass all over. Sarah talked me into going outside to see all the glass from the fridge. By the time I went out the guy had left, and I saw the glass and said no big deal I’ll call security and have them come clean it up. I called security got dressed and put my gun in my waistband like I always do.
Once I went back outside I saw the guy had returned. Sarah was at the passenger side of his truck, I came up behind her, put my hands on her hips, and told her security was on their way. The man jumped out of his Ford Ranger and ran to the front of the truck, Sarah and I side stepped to the front of the truck. This man was already in front of us swinging his fists wildly. I leaned in front of Sarah putting my left hand on his right chest area. Sarah put both her hands on mine, I was getting punched by him, we were both yelling at him to stop, but he wouldn’t. I had already pulled out my gun, instinctively chambered a round, and had it in my right hand by my right side, but the guy kept attacking, and when Sarah covered her head and neck area to fend off the attack, I pulled the trigger. I tried to shoot him in his left shoulder, but he was moving so fast, that unfortunately the round struck him in the heart and he died.
I called 911 immediately, but it connected and disconnected, however, did register on my phone. I gave my phone to Sarah and told her to call 911 again and that I was going to secure my gun in the house so the police wouldn't shoot me when they showed up.
I then came back out and called 911 again. I stood behind the guy’s truck with a security officer talking to 911 until the police showed up and they told me it was ok to hang up and talk with them.
The St.Clair County Prosecutor fabricated lies and let perjured testimony in without correcting it (which is their duty). The prosecutor also withheld material information, including all four 911 phone call's that were made. My trial attorney also failed to object to or have the false testimony corrected. I also asked my attorney for the 911 calls, he just turned and shook his head and neither answered me or had them produced.
All the police testified that I had no alcohol in my system and was calm and cooperative. But the state allowed false testimony that stated I was drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, running all over acting a fool, and never using my phone, I told him none of that is true and his response was “they just want their 15 minutes of fame, don't worry I got this”.
He also failed to make my doctor an expert witness, so as soon as he was done testifying the judge told the jurors to disregard the doctor's testimony because he was considered a non-expert witness.
The prosecutor fabricated a story saying I was drunk and high and out of control, and also withheld valuable information, including exculpatory 911 calls, proving my innocence. Again my attorney failed me by not getting an expert, and/or motioning the court to provide funds for an expert, to combat the state witnesses' testimony.
During the trial the prosecutor blurted out, why didn't you shoot a warning shot? Making it appear to the court I had a duty to fire a warning shot, and that I was in the wrong. He also blurted out anyone can get a certified pistol license in just one day. My attorney never objected to these outbursts...it's illegal for a prosecutor to act this way and is grounds for a reversal.
My trial attorney never called character witness’s on my behalf although I asked him to, including Churchs in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, my donation to the food drive in Troy, and/or my sister, nieces, nephews, or friends
My attorney never objected to or corrected false testimony, nor did he call witnesses on my behalf I requested, he even made a deal with the prosecutor to exclude my fiancee's medical records proving her vulnerability and high susceptibility to paralysis if she was struck in the head or neck area.
I also asked the 911 calls to be played in court but my trial attorney ignored me. Even when I told him people were lying on the stand, he told me they just wanted their 15 minutes of fame, not to worry “I got this”.
While in the judge’s chambers she asked me what I wanted to be charged with, although she knew she had to instruct the jury on all the lesser charges. I was also denied the right to be at critical stages of my court proceedings including the evidentiary hearing and the jury instructions.
After my appellate attorney failed me my sister got all 4 of the 911 calls that were made that night. My sister then sent a copy to the appellate attorney. The appellate attorney said that if just this one call alone would have been played in court I wouldn't be in prison, because the call proved the witness’s testimony was fabricated. Furthermore, this so-called witness had shown up after the fact.
This Material Is," Declared Truthful And Accurate In accordance With Federal Law 28 USC 1746 ".
Please contact me directly, by Mail, or by Email
Respectfully,
Jess Bowman #955705
9625 Pierce Road
Freeland, MI 48623
Email: www.jpay.com