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Lester Bower's execution halted Save Email Print
Posted: 12:31 PM Jul 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:09 PM Jul 3, 2008
 Reporter: KXII News Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com
29 comments

Lester Bower
A | A | A

LIVINGSTON, TX -- The execution of one of Texas' longest serving death row inmates has been delayed by a state judge.

Lester Leroy Bower, Jr., was set to die on July 22 for the 1983 murder of four Grayson County men.

The bodies of Bob Tate, Philip Good, Ronnie Mayes and Jerry 'Mac' Brown were found in an airplane hangar just outside of Sherman in October of 1983.

Bower was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders.

At least five previous attempts to execute him have been blocked by the courts.

An order by 15th State District Judge, Jim Fallon, grants Bower's prolonged request for a court to decide whether cigarette butts and strands of hair found at the murder scene will undergo DNA testing.

Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown says the request to test the cigarette butts for DNA could have been made years ago.

"If it comes back to Bower, it shows his guilt, if it comes back to somebody else, there were many other people in that airplane hangar, so it's not something we think will exonerate him."

Brown says the years of waiting have been frustrating to the victims' families.

"We’re going to push as hard as we can to get justice done for the families."

Former Grayson County Sheriff Jack Driscoll was one of the lead investigators on this case. He declined an on-camera interview, but did provide us this statement regarding the delay of Bower's execution.

"This man decimated four families forever, and for the sake of them again being denied closure in this matter, I’m very discouraged about the new stay of execution. They don't deserve to have that anguish linger on."

One of Lester Bower's attorneys, Anthony Roth released this statement:

"We're obviously pleased that the court withdrew the execution date for later this month. We believe the issues they're raising are important, and should be considered without the time constraints imposed by an imminent execution date. We're eager to move forward with presenting the issues."

Roth says the preliminary hearing on the issue is set for July 17, in the 15th District Court.

Monday on First News, hear from the wives of two of the murder victims, and what they think should happen to Lester Bower.
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Posted by: citizen Location: sherman tx on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:48 PM
I have followed this case from start I belive Mr.Bowers is innocent. I hope this is proven don't count on Justice in Sherman courts. It depends on how much money the county has to get a fair trial. My brother has served 20 years in Rusk and other prisons. He is mentaly ill and is innocent also and never stood a chance due to Grayson County not haveing money to try his case the correct way and the lawyers and judge and DA were all involved in this crooked misjustice. They all know who they are. We are still fighting his case. We are trying to locate the Bowers family. So far no luck. They may be able to help us or we can help them. Good luck to the Bowers.
Posted by: kelly peel Location: weatherford on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I do not understand why the DNA would not be tested? It could prove a mans guilt or innocences. How many people have been exonerated of a crime that they were found guilty of because of DNA? If there were people at the scene that the jury did not know about it could change their opinion, maybe they would have found Mr. Bower not guilty. Come on "You Guys" are smarter than this. The truth will not come out unless you test ALL of the evidence. I want someone held responsible for these deaths but I'm worried you have the wrong man. Prove to me and many other that I'm wrong and test the evidence.
Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Jul 9, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Sounds like Bowers was picked to be the scap goat since law enforcement officers was found at the crime scene. What was the law hanging around a bunch of theives and dope dealers. Sounds like they was making money on the side since they don't get paid well in law business. Let Bowers go. Seems like he has done enough time for taking the rap for everyone else involved that got off scott free.
Posted by: Skeptic Location: Denison on Jul 8, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I have always had trouble with this case. I grew up with two of the guys who were killed that day and I knew all of them.I know there is no way Bower got the jump on them without a struggle the way Driscoll said it happened. There in fact is the problem. Driscoll was in charge of the investigation. Trustworthy is not a word I would use to describe him. This whole case smells and unfortunately we may never get to the bottom of what really happened. I lost two very good friends that day and I'm still searching for answers. Bower may be guilty of being a party to what really happened but he was not alone. The complete story is yet to be told but if no one's asking questions it never will be.
Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Why don't we just bring the "Good Ole' Boys" who were in charge at the time right out of retirement. Surely they didn't cover anything up back then and would be MORE THAN HAPPY to help..... Yea right....
Posted by: LJ Location: Grayson County on Jul 7, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I remember this case well, and while I have always thought that Bower may have committed these murders I have never believed that he acted alone. If he is guilty he definately had help; if he's not guilty there are killers still on the loose for this crime and Bower has spent a large part of his life in prison for something that he didn't do. I don't know if he is innocent or guilty, but common sense tells me that one man isn't going to be able to shoot four men execution style (two of which were law enforcement officers) without one heck of a huge struggle, and there was never any mention of a struggle. Having just read about the 1989 report of four men who are supposedly the killers, this case bears a closer look. The prosecution is dead-set against it because they don't want to open up pandora's box if it was, in fact, a drug deal gone bad with law enforcement personnel involved. I pray the real truth comes out, both for the families of the victims and for the Bower family.
Posted by: AliceIn Location: Wonderland on Jul 7, 2008 at 07:10 PM
To Anonymous - no, I don't think I know everything, I realize I still have alot left to learn. What I do know is that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the cops investigating this case did alot of leg work to bring Bower to trial. If he's innocent and was found guilty you need to look at the jurors. They are the ones who put him away - not the cops. Once arrested it's in the jury's hands to decide his fate. But yes, the cops did alot of work investigating this case. All the records are archived at your local library if you care to research it yourself.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Grayson Co. on Jul 7, 2008 at 01:37 PM
To the family member of one of the victims...sounds like you need to talk to the lawyers for Lester...if there is evidence everywhere out at the hanger, then you may know something that needs to be reported. (?) You obviously are aware of the drug dealing. As far as Lester goes...he wasn't involved in any of this. He innocently saw the ad in a magazine for the ultralight, contacted Phillip Good and made arrangements to purchase the aircraft. He paid $3000 for it and still owed $1000 for it, gave them a, documented piece of States evidence which is now missing, business card to that affect. That is how they got his name. Lester DOESN'T have anything to do with the drugs. He doesn't have a"Boss" in Mexico. Grayson Co. wanted to have their man, so he was it. He didn't "Steal" anything! Lester was there, bought it, they had their cash. Don't know what happened from there, but LESTER WASN'T THERE or involved in murders. The lady who came forward has it right, the men involved are free
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 5, 2008 at 08:59 PM
alicein location;wonderland,your like MR X you know everything ,well you think you do,but your stupid
Posted by: nobody Location: sherman on Jul 5, 2008 at 08:56 PM
The Fort Worth Star has the best info on this online,READ IT Also a live vid of Les
Posted by: AliceIn Location: Wonderland on Jul 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Anonymous, July 4, 10:23 - "he got the blame because the cops didn't want their job"? What a stupid comment. So, he was also found guilty because his attorney didn't want to stay in court too long, and the jury had other stuff to do so they just said okay, he's guilty? Give me a break. He went through the judicial system and was found guilty by a panel of 12 people. Maybe you should go to the library and search though the archives to see just how much work the cops did do in order to bring this man to trial. The rest was up to the judge and jury. Before you post on here you should use some brains to think about what you're saying first.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 4, 2008 at 10:23 PM
he did'nt do it ,he got the blame because the cops did'nt want to their job.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 4, 2008 at 08:28 PM
11:30: perhaps you should have read the article before July 3 at 11:30 pm. It said "the longest serving death-row inmate before 2 other people called them on it.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: denison on Jul 4, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I went to school with Phillip, you couldn't have met a nicer guy. I have always felt that something is not quite right with what happened out there that day. I noticed our local DA and some of the comments posted are all "fry him" but with all the people being released lately with new evidence, could you people have a good nights sleep if he was proven not guilty after he was executed? I also found it odd our local media didn't mention what the Houston Cron. and a few others stated that, someone had came forward later to implicate other people. I pasted the remark from the article: Several years after his trial, a woman came forward implicating four other men in the murder. It was a deadly drug deal, she claimed. The station, quoting Bower's attorney, reported that despite having four other named suspects, prosecutors, to this day, have never investigated them. Now this guy may be totally quilty and I feel deeply for the victims relatives that still don't have closure on this.
Posted by: sunshine on Jul 4, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I am family of one of the victims, there is diffinatly more people involved in this escapade. Do you think Bower, a good ole boy , walked up to the hanger with no intentions. Wrong these guys involved were selling the planes and parts for money. Some that are deceased, were involved in drugs. Did that get mentioned? Back then there wasn't much emphisis on DNA. So, we'll see. Bower had never mentioned the people whom helped him and told him of the hanger. The area is out in the country. The people that have the answers are dead. Don't think Bower will die without a word said. His "boss" is in Mexico and threated his life and his family. These investigators didn't ask the right people or look around the property hard enough....evidence everywhere.....
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 11:30 PM
The first paragraph says, "one of texas'longest serving." It doesn't say THE longest. That's an important distinction. Perhaps you should read more carefully before freaking all out saying, "He's not the longest!"
Posted by: Anonymous Location: San Antonio on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:18 PM
If you think Bower is innocent, you probably thought OJ didn't do it either!! Give me a break, this man killed 4 people and the evidence was overwhelming against him.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 06:23 PM
It's not just the DNA...there is more to Bower's innocence claim. Check it all out. But I agree with Anonymous at 2:43 "Good Job Judge Fallon" for calling for the hearing.
Posted by: Fry Him Location: Denison on Jul 3, 2008 at 05:24 PM
You know, I would side with some of you who want to give him another chance, if it weren't for the fact that he NEVER came up with a reason, excuse, or explanation for WHY he had the parts that were taken in the murder/robbery IN HIS APARTMENT. Circumstantial? Sure. Damning? Absolutely. Yes, there was no direct evidence linking him to pulling the trigger since he left no eyewitnesses or a video of the event, but he bought the ammo, had the parts taken in the robbery, motive, and opportunity. Enough for the Jury and I. Cigarette butts and hair? Could have been left at the scene by anybody at any time prior to the murders. How will that possibly exhonorate him?
Posted by: M Location: Durant on Jul 3, 2008 at 03:32 PM
I thought Ronald Chambers was texas' longest serving death row inmate been on death row since 1976. I can see why they postponed the execution especially with all the people getting out that have been cleared by DNA. IF he did it then inject him. IF he did not then let him go. Just do the DNA and see what the results are.
Posted by: Short Fat Texan Location: Texas on Jul 3, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Well there ia a lot of people being released every day in Texas; because of DNA Testing. However it don't matter, even if the DNA shows someone else, the DA will not believe it. The Death Penalty cost taxpayers about 12 million to stone someone to death, it takes less than $400,000.00 to keep one on life without parole....TO: Anonymous; every Death Row prisoner released in texas over the past few years, well there was plenty enough evidence to convict them also. Juror Number Five said, that she thought he was guilty but she; also thought someone else was inviolved!!!! Well that juror voted him juilty when she had Reasonable Doubt. People are convicted that are innocent every day, in America because the Jury does not do their sworn duty to hold the DA to his proof. They think the man is guilty just because he is setting at the defence table. It is easy done.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Texoma on Jul 3, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Good job Judge Fallon. He is a fair judge.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 02:40 PM
They had no hard evidence that he is the one that committed the crime. And how can you say he needs to fry for a crime he didn't commit? Remember, he has family that lives in this area too so quit being so tacky! Obviously they are sure he did the crime or he wouldn't have gotten a stay.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 02:25 PM
This evidence has been sitting on the judges desks for 20 years...that's where it has been. It is surfacing now because in federal court you can't discuss innocence. Don't believe me?..ask an attorney. He just needs to have the truth come out. Good for Judge Fallon for letting Mr. Bower have a hearing.
Posted by: ANGRY SENIOR on Jul 3, 2008 at 02:11 PM
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS EVIDENCE HAS BEEN AND WHY IT IS SUFFACING NOW. I THINK IT IS JUST A DELAY TACTIC..HE NEEDS TO FRY.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Although Mr. Bower has been on DR for over 24 years, he is not the longest-serving death-row inmate. KXII needs to check facts before reporting the news.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Gainesville on Jul 3, 2008 at 01:50 PM
This has got to be a waste of taxpayers money to let them delay his execution. We have had to feed and house him for 24 years. Enough is Enough!!!As I remember reading and hearing about the case, they had all the evidence they needed to convict this guy.
Posted by: Long Tall Texan Location: Greenville on Jul 3, 2008 at 01:36 PM
It's about time!! I've never believed that Bowers did this crime. When his conviction is overturned, the County Attorney will really be scrambling to find the real culprits. Unless of course the DNA tests reveal who that would be & it just falls into their lap.
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