Death Row inmate back in state prison after spending weekend in Grayson Co.

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Posted: 5:38 PM Dec 22, 2008
Last Updated: 5:38 PM Dec 22, 2008
Reporter: KXII Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com

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SHERMAN, TX ― Death Row inmate Lester Bower convicted of killing four people in Sherman 25 years ago is now back in state prison after spending the weekend in the Grayson County Jail.

Bower was transferred to Grayson County on Friday night to undergo DNA testing as part of an appeal. Grayson County prosecutors expect those DNA results within the next few months.

They say Bower's attorney asked for the DNA testing because he claims the crime was committed by someone else, and the presence of that person's DNA could exonerate Bower.

Bower was convicted of shooting and killing Denison building contractor Bob Tate, former Sherman policeman Ronald Mayes, Grayson County Sheriff's deputy Philip Good, and interior designer Jerry Mac Brown of Sherman.

Those bodies were found in an airplane hangar near Sherman back in October 1983.

Prosecutors say Bower killed Tate to steal an ultra-light that was for sale and killed the other three when they unexpectedly showed up.

Bower has been on death row since 1984, and there have been at least five previous attempts to execute him, but those were blocked by the courts.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Grim Location: Reaper on Dec 30, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I say we take "DUH's" kin folks and execute them for this crime. Their lives are not special or precious, even though they have probably been called "special" before. Like DUH said, "people die every day for alot less." So if executing an innocent person for a crime is OK in DUH's view, it may as well be DUH and his/her family. No doubt, the world would be a better place. So, let's have an execution for Christ's sake! What's taking so long? Anyone will do, according to DUHmb-a**. Hell. I'll even give'em a ride down to the death chamber if they need one, (It won't be the short bus they are used to). Any last words?

Posted by: KXII viewer who ?'s our dept. Location: GC on Dec 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Thank-God he was safely returned! I was worried about his safety in this county. I hope he was treated properly. This county has done enough damage to this man who is innocent.

Posted by: Judge on Dec 29, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I am of the opinion that he is guilty but regardless of that they should expediate this process. The fact that our legal system takes this long to process appeals of this magnitude is outrageous. If rule that dna testing needs to be done then it should happen asap. The appeals process should not drag on 20-sum odd years and cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just get it done. We have courts across the country full of traffic violators but we cannot expediate an appeal of a death row inmate? The judicial system needs to prioritize.

Posted by: dookey on Dec 29, 2008 at 01:13 PM
He is not Guilty Grayson Cty had to convict somone !

Posted by: anachist on Dec 26, 2008 at 03:30 PM
when small town cops start caring the guilty will be punished

Posted by: jm Location: gc on Dec 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
think about what you say here because you could be up in the jail one day charge with a crime you didnt do i have said from day one he wasnt guilty.too many things dont work the way they said it did. all of you need to read the real transcripts from the trial and then you will know he did not do it.then who did ihave a couple of guesses.an expert on firearms said that the bullets would not have fit his gun,and besides it was in apawn shop in colorado,that must have been a real good shot.and some of you people on here need help this is 2008 not 1940-1950 .there is things showing up now that happened that far back that is now showing up because people are afraid to speak up about any thing.my friend is in jail on a charge of stealing a 30.00 tv. he had a court appointed lawyer that got paid for nothing,i took pic.and took them to his office to prove it wasnt him but he is in there right now,i will get it straight when he gets out.i do not trust the system any where so stay out of trouble

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 24, 2008 at 06:25 AM
Considering all evidence in that make beleive trial was circumstantial, I think Bower deserves a chance to clear his name. There were so many factors in this case that were ignored. Driscoll and his Courthouse gang liked to make quick arrests/convictions, which is exactly what they did on this one. I think there is a very good chance Bower isn't the killer.

Posted by: special Location: Grayson on Dec 24, 2008 at 06:15 AM
The problem with "DUH's" mentality is that he/she would be the first person to cry foul if a DPS officer pulled them over for speeding and they were under the speed limit. You are right; our society isn't perfect, but what we can do is every person every day do what is right and then it at least society would be better. Mr. Bower is an innocent man and there are people in Grayson County that know that and do nothing. The people like Red, Zyklon and Jason who think they are so funny need to remember that everything they say and do they must one day account to God for. And I feel sorry for DUH who thinks Life isn't special. Each breath, each day is special and should be lived to its fullest.

Posted by: jason Location: 13 th street on Dec 24, 2008 at 01:40 AM
hey red and zyklon those are great comments and i really do feel the same if he is guilty find the tallest tree and hang em high. and your comments made me smile

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Dec 23, 2008 at 04:48 PM
I am full of Christmas spirit as well, Jason. I just want to send 50,000 volts of electricity flowing through his body until he glows like a light hanging on a Christmas tree.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 23, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Jason, I just wanted to place a Christmas wreath around this guy's neck and hang him from a tree like an ornament, so I am FULL of Christmas spirit!

Posted by: jason Location: 13th street on Dec 23, 2008 at 01:50 PM
whoa....blood thristy redneck...hang him ...bring back old sparky,,I real did think it was christmas time how silly of me i was wrong

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Dec 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM
They need to bring "Old Sparky" out of retirement, and electrocute him and all the other degenerates on death row as well.

Posted by: T Location: Denison on Dec 23, 2008 at 09:51 AM
from what i have learned about this case while following it on this site, i believe that there is a good chance this man may be innocent. Lets not be so hasty to judge the outcome of these results. If they come back positive for his DNA then justice will be served. If they come back negative justice will also be served.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 23, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Good, back in state prison where he belongs. They could have swabbed him in Huntsville instead of hauling him back to Sherman and wasting more taxpayer dollars. Still would like to know how DNA is involved in a shooting. Skip the needle, we need to go back to olde tyme courthouse square hangins.

Posted by: DUH on Dec 23, 2008 at 08:59 AM
The problem with Repost's mentality towards the death penalty is that they think it is no deterrence and should be done away with. Uh, hello? Obviously prison isn't a deterrence, either. Should we just let them go free? Criminals know there are consequences to their crimes and still continue to commit them. That is why they're called CRIMINALS (*GASP*)! As for our society being a failure if we execute one innocent person, get a grip. There has never been a perfect society that had no failures. We are a nation that was built on slaves and stolen land, wouldn't that make our society a failure WAAAAY before the unintended execution of an innocent person? Life is not special and precious, people die every day for a lot less. I have no problems with one last DNA test to prove the final verdict for this man, but you're just being a drama queen about the death penalty. I suppose we should all be vegetarians, too?

Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Dec 23, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I say find out the real truth. Bowers knows more than he is telling but is afraid for his family. He just wants to be proven innocent, that he isn't the killer or that he wasn't the only one. The ones that are really guilty will stand before the whole world someday in judgement. They won't be able to hide then. So sad for them. Strange the law officers was mixed up in this illegal happenings. Is that why certain people want Bowers put down so the truth won't come out?

Posted by: redneck Location: reality on Dec 23, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Hang him!, Red and Zyclan are the killers

Posted by: amazed at the system Location: GC on Dec 22, 2008 at 10:36 PM
He didn't commit these murders and his DNA has already been cleared. This is a case of the DA's office changing Judge Fallon's original ruling in July. This was suppose to be testing on the other men (4 of them) who actually commited the crime. Somehow, not sure how, but this order was changed. You people who are so sure he is guilty need to KNOW more about this case. He is innocent. The DNA was NOT his or the murder victims when tested before. This is just a scheme on the DA's part. THose saying to hang him, need to think about if it were you and you were innocent. I hope he is safe in Grayson Co. He should have never been brought back to Grayson Co. They have his DNA, afterall, he is a prisoner! They could have had a legal team there to draw blood or cheek swab him in TDC. I hope he is properly represented in Grayson Co. while he is here! I don't trust our DA's office for anything and especially NOT this case!

Posted by: Death Location: Penalty on Dec 22, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Hey Zyklon, you blood thirsty redneck, YOU would change YOUR mind if it was your innocent spouse or kid that was put to death in a rush to judgment.

Posted by: stickem Location: Commerce on Dec 22, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I remember this from the beginning and I thought there was a "rush to judgement" then. Rereading the transcripts, it's clear that there was. People like Hang him and Red Location and the others who are ready to kill him, might do well to take a look around. Anybody can find themselves in the same situation. It really doesn't take that much to wake up one morning and find yourself being taken to jail because you had been in a place where a crime was committed. Could be the corner convenience store, a neighbor's house, or just driving the same kind of car that someone else does. Don't shoot until you have ALL the facts. The life you save just might be your own.

Posted by: Koxz Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 05:02 PM
alot more to this story than what KXII has said here.... ALOT!

Posted by: Hang him! Location: Texas on Dec 22, 2008 at 03:35 PM
One murder I can probably see giving him some time to prove his innocence. But FOUR murders!!!! Come on people wake up!!! Did you even read or watch the video? He killed other people because they showed up UNEXPECTEDLY!!! Maybe if he was innocent he might have tried explaining it to those men, not kill them too!!! Sounds like he was trying to cover his behind! Slam me if you want, but this doesn't make sense.

Posted by: Shannon Location: TX on Dec 22, 2008 at 02:16 PM
This man does deserve the chance for DNA testing whether guilty or innocent. In the past two years three major newspapers reported that four executed inmates were probably innocent. Three of the four executed were from Texas. Dallas county alone, which leads the nation in DNA exonerations has had 19 wrongful convictions overturned. There have been 33 exonerations in Texas,as of May of this year. Two of these innocent people spent 27 years in prison. Out of te 33 exonerations, a total of 427 years were spent in jail. This is a huge miscarriage of justice and there is no excuse for this happening with all the technology in the world.

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 02:07 PM
string him up while he is in Sherman.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Hey repost, you bleeding heart pansy, you would change your mind if it was your spouse or kid that was murdered.

Posted by: Harry Location: Grayson on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Somebody clue me in. How is a DNA test going to prove his guilt or innocence? Did the person who committed this crime leave bodily fluids at the scene, or what? There has to be something at the scene that the courts think may tie him to the crime. What is it?

Posted by: comment on hang em Location: here on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:45 PM
hang him location texas,you my friend are in need of some heavy socialization and psychological help.i cant help but think that your mother and father would be ashamed at at your rantings.you live in the greatest country in the world and chances are if you are litrally starving it is bccause you are pretty addicted or very stupid.do not get me wrong, i know these are ominous financial times and if you had said you were mabey loosing somthing like a car or house i would be more sympathetic with you;however,your complaint was about food as you sit in your little warm comfy cave and type nasty comments about a man on death row that has a chance to have all the facts looked at for his innocence claim.the amount it cost to house him is a stupid ignorant argument against the dna tests considering the cost to execute and exhust all appeals is much more than life no parole which was not the outcome anyway so as i said your comment was assanine.if you need a couple of hotdogs log off and come on

Posted by: me Location: sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:29 PM
GUILTY,BUT NOT ALONE...

Posted by: B.J. Location: DENISON on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:12 PM
LOOKS LIKE HE IS EATING WELL. WHY DID HE HAVE TO COME TO GRAYSON COUNTY FOR DNA? WE DON'T WANT HIM HERE. THE FAT HOG NEEDS TO BE HUNG.

Posted by: Death Location: Penalty on Dec 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Address to old thread relevant to this story. http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/27707859.html

Posted by: Repost Location: Death Penalty on Dec 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM
There are dozens of death penalty verdicts that have been overturned by DNA testing. Thankfully the innocents have been spared their lives. If we, as citizens even put one innocent person to death we have failed society miserably. Personally I could not give a guilty verdict in a capital punishment case under the "within a reasonable doubt" mantra. The death penalty has been proven not to be of any use as a deterrent again and again. But the "express lane" down at Huntsville is still in top gear. An eye for an eye leaves us all blind.

Posted by: Wondering Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I don't understand why he needed to be brought to Grayson County for a DNA test. Don't they have cheek swabs in Huntsville?

Posted by: to Location: HANG EM on Dec 22, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Calm down! We have people that NEED to be in the prison system for life that we pay for to keep there because they are bad and did something really wrong. So i don't understand what you problem is, if he is innocent that's one less man in prison that YOU have to pay for and if he's not then i guess you can jump up and down for joy. In the meantime respect the way the system is trying to work with this man, since there(were)are plenty of people that are innocent and did not have the same oppotunity. I guess you were never accused of doing something that you didn't do and had to prove it. Must be nice.

Posted by: Officer Futz on Dec 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
It was Kool-Aid man.

Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Dec 22, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Hang Him : you must be one of them that really knows what happened. Seems like certain ones want Bowers done away with so the guilty ones won't be caught.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Where is his DNA, on the gunpowder? TERMINATE HIM!!!

Posted by: Sammi Location: Sherman on Dec 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM
We can not execute people if there is any chance that they might be innocent. What if you were wrongly accused? Would you not want to try everything you can to prove your innocence. This man may be guilty and he may not. We have to make sure before he is executed.

Posted by: 4PeteSake! Location: Denison on Dec 22, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Hang him! Are you serious? Did you follow this murder and trial? Obvioiusly NOT! This man deserves to have DNA test done. He has been inprisoned since 1984 and has proclaimed that he is innocent from DAY ONE! If DNA can PROVE he is the killer, than by all mean, an EYE FOR AN EYE but if it clears him ... then the life of an innocent man would have been spared. How many have died to later find out they were telling the TRUTH about being innocent? Let the DNA testing begin.

Posted by: citizen Location: Texas on Dec 22, 2008 at 05:41 AM
This man was convicted on circumstanual evidence. There is a witness who said 4 other people did this. I think after 24 years he deserves a chance to prove his innocence/or guilt with out a doubt. If he is innocent people like you have robbed him 24 years of life. There has always been something wrong with this caswe from the beginning.

Posted by: Hang him! Location: Texas on Dec 21, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Oh now that's just terrific! He's been on Death Row since 1984 appealing through the court system. Meanwhile there are honest good people out there that don't know when there next meal is coming. Why is that????? Oh wait I know! It's because this man is eating it!!! Does everybody know that it cost over 30K a year to keep this scum behind bars and feed him three square meals a day???? Top notch Justice system we have. Eye for an eye!!!

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