DNA ruling in Bower case postponed Save Email Print
Posted: 6:18 PM Jul 17, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:41 PM Jul 17, 2008
 Reporter: KXII Staff & Wire Reports
31 comments
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SHERMAN, Texas (AP) - A man condemned for a 1984 quadruple
slaying must wait at least two weeks before learning whether DNA
testing will be allowed.

A judge in Sherman today postponed a ruling on Lester Leroy
Bower Junior's request that crime scene evidence have DNA testing
that wasn't available nearly a quarter-century ago.

The judge is giving both sides more time to submit records to the court. It will now be at least August 1st before a decision is made.

Bowers had been set to die July 22nd for the shooting deaths of four men at an airplane hangar in Grayson County -- but that's on hold.

Prosecutors say Bower had lied to his wife, and authorities, about his efforts to buy an ultralight plane. He sold firearms on the side.

The victims were Grayson County Sheriff's Deputy Philip Good, Bob Tate, Jerry Brown a former Sherman policeman Ronald Mayes.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.),
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Posted by: Teke Location: Plano on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:47 PM
3. Les doesn't smoke - never has. 4. Prosecution has always stated that Les - at one time - owned a gun that could have been used in the murders. It's since been shown - and it's IN THE RECORDS - that his gun could NOT possibly be the one, b/c the model is too old. 5. There IS a lot of other information in the records that's not being mentioned. And I'm not going to mention it - b/c there are names in there. But you'd be surprised. 6. There is not ONE shred of evidence that points to Les even beyond a reasonable doubt. No weapon, no prints, no motive, no history. The facts are: He had the ultralight b/c he BOT it - the fact of the biz card is in the examiner report. Also, he did lie to the FBI about being there or knowing the deceased, b/c as he's consistently stated, he was fearful of what he'd barely missed and didn't want to get caught up in whatever happened (drug deal gone bad). Lying was a bonehead move, no doubt - but doesn't make one a murderer!! He IS innocent!
Posted by: Teke Location: Plano on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Wow - there are some real inaccurate (dopey) comments below. Jess says "the guy killed 4 cops" - clueless. One was formerly with the sherrif's office, one a current cop (at the time), another an interior designer, and the 4th - NOT a cop. I know those that were at the original trials, have read court transcripts of the trials, went to the hearing in 2000 and last weeks hearing. Here are some things that are ON RECORD: 1. Les gave his statement way before the trial ever started and has always maintained that he BOT the ultralight. He paid $3K cash and left a biz card for the IOU. The medical examiner FOUND the biz card just as Les stated - and it's ON RECORD. Guess what's been missing all these years - you got it. And that's the prosecutions WHOLE case - theft. 2. Materials with DNA have been tested and DO NOT match Les or the victims. Only saying it's possible it could match the murderers - who HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND IT'S ON RECORD WHO THEY ARE! Con't.
Posted by: JMO on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:49 AM
We have so many legal experts on KXII's web forum that you guys should write an episode for CSI on this case. If only the trained professionals with years of training, education, and on the job experience were as smart as us. BTW - a man with a gun can very easily overtake 4 unarmed men. It is amazing how cooperative you can be when you have a gun pointed at you. Yes Joe from Denison, that was one magic loogie.
Posted by: 4 Justice Location: GC on Jul 20, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Even Jim Blanton, the FBI agent in 1983, wants the evidence to be rechecked and the new evidence investigated. Read the 7/20/08 article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper. And he WAS there in 1983.
Posted by: LJ Location: Grayson County on Jul 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
tOM, I remember this case very well & am doing no guessing about it. Bower was made a scapegoat, plain & simple. No way that one man is going to shoot 4 men, two of which were in law enforcement,in the back of the head without one huge struggle? Then he wraps 3 of the bodies in pieces of carpet, loads up the ultra-light & is at home in Arlington in the time frame of when the murders occurred? Well, better to blame it on Les Bower than to admit that it was a drug deal gone bad with a prominent citizen & law enforcement involved. The DA's office is fighting against any new evidence because they know if a new trial is granted the real truth will come out, names and reputations will be ruined...not the mention the fact that an innocent man has sat on death row for 24 yrs for a crime that he did not commit. With overwhelming evidence which can prove Bower's innocence that wasn't available in his first trial I would think the DA would be more than willing for DNA testing & a new trial.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 19, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Iagree with you notbuyingthis:
Posted by: joe on Jul 19, 2008 at 08:52 AM
I saw on the news a couple of weeks ago where a man that was sent to prison 20 years ago was just set free because they finally did DNA, and proved he was innocent. How would any of you feel if it was a friend or family member sitting on death row and he or she was denied a new trial after a man was sentenced to death on mere circumstanial evidence? I thought when you convict someone of murder there has to be a shadow of a doubt. How could these jurors convict a man with that evidence? And who was Bowers attorney at the time? He should be disbarred!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 19, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Maybe Joe Brown has some skeletons in his closet that he doesnt want to come out, are we forgetting about his past. Maybe there is a reason he doesnt want the DNA because he doesnt want all the law enforcement and prominent Sherman attorneys all exposed including himself on "certain things"....if yall catch my drift.
Posted by: notbuyingthis Location: texoma on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I do not know all the details of this case from 24 years ago but I don't think a man who appears to be overweight and looking like he is out of shape could take on these 4 men by himself and kill them all. Alot of the law enfoecement officals have been in the military and have alot of survial training and for one man to take them down....something is clearly wrong here. This definately sounds like some type of a cover up. We all seem to take time to post comments here maybe we could write a letter to the govenor asking for new trial.
Posted by: Joe Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:30 PM
JMO---did they chase Bower in a white Bronco on Hwy 75?
Posted by: Ralph Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:28 PM
I may be mistaken, but I believe the cigarette butts were used as part of the body of circumstantial evidence against Bower at trial. Did not the prosecution contend that Bower smoked that brand of cigarette, thereby tying him to the scene at the time of the crimes. I could be wrong about this, because the trial took place many years ago and my memory may not be accurate. However, if the butts were used as evidence in such a manner, the DA essentially acknowledged their relavance to his case. It could be that if Bowers DNA is not on the butts (and yes, one could contend they could have been left there days or weeks before), the DA already acknowledged their relavance, it was part of the reason Bower was convicted, and it could influence the Courts decision about a new trial. I'm not suggesting Bower is innocent, nor that he should get a new trial, but the testing will likely be performed.
Posted by: Gary Location: sherman on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Local Citizen! It is you that needs to go back and listen to the other local networks unedited interview on the 2nd part. Please clean your ears before you attempt to listen. I don't think by that interview Mason was trying to trip him up, I think he is asking questions that should have been brought up before he was sentenced to death. Bowers seems like a very intelligent man, doubt he would be stupid enough to leave his card at the crime scene.
Posted by: joe Location: sherman on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I am interested in that other spitter too. Can we get some DNA that richochade off of Newman and then hit Kramer? Surely we won't lose the evidence, LOL and please dont call me Shirley!! Good one JMO.
Posted by: viewed it Location: believe him on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:38 PM
I did listen to the interview. I noticed that mason was trying to trip him up, he'd say something as a quote and then Les would have to say, I didn't say that; then repeat what he did say! Any contradictions were interuptions or repeated incorrectly. Remember that was an UNEDITED interview! After veiwing the interview, I believe I learned even more about the man and I believe his innocence even more. The archives of this case only tell what the jury was told...and that was inacurate information. Just give the man a fair chance at a new trial. What would it hurt! His story of innocence hasn't changed. I for one, believe he is innocent. Mr.Bower was clearly set up. How do you have a 4 count capital murder trial end in 1 week? And..how do you think ONE person did this crime? The DA's office needs to not be so worried about this case being reopened;since they seem to be so confident that Les did the crime, what would it hurt to let them try to prove otherwise. Guilty men are free
Posted by: Local Location: Citizen on Jul 18, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Go to your local library and check their archives for this case. You will find alot more information there than you will on this website as it was written in real time. Also, go to the website of the other local newstation and you will find a 5 part interview with Bowers. Listen closely to them and you will find that he contradicts himself. I believe it is in part 2 when he says it is correct that when he goes to the hangar to pick up the ultralight only himself, Goode and Tate are there. Right after that he says that when Goode arrived he had Brown with him followed a few minutes later by Tate. He didn't even keep his story straight in this interview.
Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 04:45 PM
JMO, because it's a known fact the law, Doctors or whoever dosen't rat on each other. Duh
Posted by: ALL OF U.S. - A. Location: GC on Jul 18, 2008 at 03:36 PM
tOM this is for you,if you think he got a fair trial. talk about uneducated you my friend could not pass a common sense test becuase all it takes is common sense to see that mr. bower was clearly set up with circumstantial evidence and a set of railroad tracks would you accept the fact you were found guilty of murder and facing death on the evidence that was fabricated for lester get all that was writin on this story and reread it a little slower so you can comprihend each word then lock yourself in a small room for about 24 years, know the next time you come out of that room, it will be to die and then think of your kids growing up with out you a wife wondering how the hell did they do this and get away with it. then tell me how you would feel when the children of these men that were murdered were told later that we killed the wrong guy and now you know how bowers children FEEL NOW. YOU HAVE THE WRONG GUY
Posted by: Skeptic Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 03:09 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 get 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 honest are not a words 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: loyal to law Location: GC on Jul 18, 2008 at 03:04 PM
CAN I GET A REASON WHY MY BLOG WAS NOT PRINTED?

No.-STAFF
Posted by: j Location: here on Jul 18, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Bill were you there when this crime took place? If not then you don't know who did it either. I'm not talking about being in the court room. For Jess you don't know the law at all. You can't just snap you fingers and go and take DNA. You have to get approved for this when you are locked up and that takes time. I have seen where it said that they didn't have any finger prints or nothing like that on this man. The DA shouldn't have a problem with the test. You just can't say that this guy did it because he had guns or because he wanted the aircraft. Big deal a lot of people have guns. I also read where it had said that he was at home with his wife between the time that this took place and that he lived two hrs from where it happened. I would have to see more proof then just that. "If" he did it the truth will come out. So go on and let him take the test. There is no harm in that. I pray for all of the families involved in this case. May God Bless all of you.
Posted by: JMO on Jul 18, 2008 at 01:30 PM
ME - who do you think Joe Brown is trying to protect? If there were a chance that there were additional suspects he could be a hero for catching and prosecuting them so why would he ignore it if it were a possibility?
Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 12:29 PM
JMO, just what I"M talking about. Joe Brown and the rest of them know more than we'll ever know. That's why they are afraid to let the truth come out. I have never said Bowers is innocent, he just isn't the ONLY one guilty.
Posted by: JMO on Jul 18, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Joe Brown is not hiding anything. He has nothing to gain or to lose in this case. He knows more about the specifics of this case than any of you. He has no motives to protect people from a trial that happened when he was just a kid. You conspiracy theorists need to get a life. You do not know 10% of the facts of the case yet you believe this guy is innocent. You naive people must have served on the OJ jury also.
Posted by: Jess on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Ok, so this guy killed 4 cops and he STILL hasn't been put to death!!! If he didn't do it and DNA testing has been available since 2000, then why wait to ask for DNA evidence. Delay tactict. DUH!!!!
Posted by: Me Location: Denison on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I agree totally with LJ & some of the others. Well said. There is no way, "IF" Bowers did this,he could NOT have acted alone. Why is the DA in a hurry to get this over with? Why doesn't Bowers speak up on what he knows instead of taking the blame for the other guys. When the law is involved in crime they do all they can to let someone else get punished so they don't spend time in jail. I think there should be people protesting in the streets so Bowers can be proven "not guilty". How can the real people involved sleep at night knowing Bowers will be put to death? Everyone will know on "that" day who did it. I would rather confess now and not wait and let it be known on Judgement day. Then it's too late for forgiveness. There is crime on both sides of the fence here. Wives of the four, speak before it's too late for Bowers.
Posted by: JMO on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:30 AM
...and I think there was a second spitter. Keith Hernandez could not have been the only one haking up a loogie. Kramer is right on this one.
Posted by: JMO on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Why would Joe Brown be worried about the outcome? He has nothing to lose or gain with this case. It was and is not his deal. He knows so much more about the facts of this case than any of you could ever hope to know and he obviously believes that the jurors were correct with their original verdict. He is correct that dna cannot exonorate Bower. All it can show is that another person was in that barn at some point in time. DNA on a cigarrette butt cannot prove that Bower did not do it. That cigarrette butt could have been there for a week prior to the murders. Now if they had a murder weapon with someone elses dna then you might have something. Joe Brown has served this county very well and has a good track record.
Posted by: Dookey Location: Shermboro on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I'm really on the fence with this one. I know the circumstantial evidence against the man, but I also don't see how one man, with a spotless record, could do all this by himself? I'm anxious to see how it all plays out.
Posted by: Bill Location: Texoma on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I watched the DA joe brown on TV. You mean Grayson county elected this guy to prosecute criminals for them? The guy is a moron. He actually said tjat finding another person's DNA at the murder scene would not exonerate bowers. He was to have alleged to have killed the people by himself. Another person would certainly raise questions about the veracity of the DA's story taht convicted bowers. Or does the DA fear the truth?
Posted by: JMO on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Why would such random items found on the property provide any proof of innocence or guilt? Just because a cigarrete butt may or may not contain dna of other folks would not mean they committed the crime or that Bower did not. It just means that once upon a time someone smoked a cigarrette in that barn. Hopefully there is more cause for a new trial than just these random items that have never been dna tested.
Posted by: Bill Location: Sherman on Jul 18, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Were any of you commentators even in Grayson County when this horrific crime was committed? You keep talking about a fair trial. If you had been there (as I was) you would know that he indeed committed this crime. These poor families of the victims have waited for 24 years for justice. It's time for this animal to pay for his crime. It's only a shame thats its required to be a painless procedure and not with pain equal to what his victims suffered. Three of them were shot in the back of the head execution style. The fourth was sprayed with bullets in the back as he tried to run from the scene. This animal calmly loaded the ultr-light into his vehicle. and left with blood and carnage strewn all over that hangar. Get your facts straight people
Posted by: loyal to law Location: GC on Jul 18, 2008 at 08:36 AM
you can find more info on this story online sherman democrat please read the blogs, this story should get all the media it can an if you want your rating to go up i suggest you investigate an report more on this story becuase its the one that is getting nation wide intrest becuase of the currupt and cover up alegations in this crime against some big names in grayson county i personaly have followed this story since day one and its just to wish/washy, it all happen so quik it was over with before lesters defense attorney had time to wake up (figure of speach) but he did fall asleep during the trail hows does that make you feel about a guy thats suppose to save your life, i also noticed that you put a line in your story what the prosecuter said, why didnt you report the story of bowers stating that a witness came foreward claiming that other poeple were responsible and certian discoved evidence was not allowed to be admisible so when you print a story find a few facts on both sides
Posted by: c Location: Grayson County on Jul 18, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Why is Joe Brown so opposed to this DNA test? He should take a lesson from Dallas county DA who isn't afraid to do the right thing and free innocent people. I hope someone will run against him to put integrity back in the DAs office
Posted by: tOM Location: Sherman on Jul 18, 2008 at 06:51 AM
LJ, you are just talking to be talking, you don't have a CLUE, only an uneducated opinion.
Posted by: concerned Location: Land of the free? on Jul 18, 2008 at 01:53 AM
I think sometimes people in high places lose sense of reality. Turn the tables Joe Brown. Imagine yourself on death row for a crime you didn't do. Would you think screaming out for help to a justice system that will not listen to you since 1989 was a "last ditch effort"? Why not just allow the evidence to be investigated instead of saying we have our man and that is the end of the story. Thanks to Judge Fallon for standing up in a system that wants to close this case and never open it up again even if there is new evidence to be investigated. The citizens are watching to see how this plays out.
Posted by: LJ Location: Grayson county on Jul 17, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I am very curious as to why our local news media is reporting very sketchy details of this case; the Dallas/Ft Worth media is reporting much more information than our local media ever has regarding this case. When the real truth finally comes out there will be more than a few prominent names of former law enforcement, prosecution and private citizens that will come out. That is why DA Joe Brown is so adament that there be no DNA testing; too many prominent individuals will be exposed if there should be a new trial. Well my goodness, let's just let an innocent man be put to death to insure that those names are never revealed, as well as the names of the real killers. Give Lester Bower a FAIR trial and this county will see what an injustice has been suffered by the Bower family while the real killers and others involved are free and probably on the run now just in case there is a new trial. Lester Bower and his family have suffered far too long already, let's hear the real truth!!!
Posted by: Richie Location: Sherman on Jul 17, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Give the guy credit. He never runs out of ideas to evade the Grim Reaper. But, he won't be able to evade God.
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