LOUISVILLE, Ga. -- Jefferson County’s Chief Magistrate Murray Bowman was arrested Sunday by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and charged with aggravated assault.
Sheriff's Maj. Charlie Gibbons said today that deputies responded to a call around 12:05 a.m. Sunday about shots being fired.
“He was involved in an altercation with some other people at an address on old U.S. Highway 1,” Maj. Gibbons said. “Nobody was shot. There were no injuries,” he said. “It’s a felony. He’s out on bond.”
Bond had been set at $25,000, he said.
Maj. Gibbons said Judge Bowman has been suspended from duties by the appropriate judicial oversight authority while the case is pending.
In a hand written statement to the press made Monday, Judge Bowman said, “My wife and I are experiencing marital difficulties and divorce has been filed. I have been accused of impropriety; however, I feel that when all the facts are revealed I will be completely exonerated.
“None of this has anything to do with my job. I will continue to serve the good people of Jefferson County just as I have done for the past 20 years. My daughters and I hope that you will keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we move through this difficult time.”
Jefferson County District Attorney Hayward Altman said Judge Bowman’s case would be handled by another prosecutor and would not be handled by either Superior Court Judge Bobby Reeves or Superior Court Judge Kathy Palmer.
“Our judges had to recuse themselves,” Mr. Altman said.
“I’ve actually made a request to the state Attorney General’s Office for an appointment of a special prosecutor to handle it to make sure there’s no appearance of impropriety or conflict to ensure the public knows the correct legal procedures are being followed. The law requires both the district attorney and the judges in this circuit to be disqualified automatically in these kinds of cases,” he said.
To all law enforcement officers,law makers and judges,NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!!!!!!!!
Just get the divorce. Nobody is worth going to prison for. Call it a day and move on before someone is killed.
Please keep the Bowman family in your prayers. He was just protecting himself and his daughters. Anybody who knows Murray knows he wouldn't hurt a fly.
TO MURRAY AND THE BOWMAN GIRLS MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL FOUR OF YOU!!!
He will continue to serve the people of Jefferson County. Are you kidding??
To qucik to judge this all the facts about what happened are not even out, but at any rate there is nothing hillarious about a shooting of any kind or for a person to be pushed over the edge that way.
Nobody was shot, just shot at. He missed his mark, or it was a warning shot. However, I really think Jefferson County Citizen ought to know the facts, and determine if the defendant is innocent or guilty. If innocent, does that mean he is stable enough to continue as Chief Magistrate? But the facts are necessary to make any determination. Therefore, as special prosecutor is appropriate.
Judge Bowmen is an great judge. I dont believe his personal issues at home would interfere with his performance as Chief Magistrate! I mean C'mon hes been with the county for 20 Years!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers Judge. We all do things we wish we could take back.......
Even just taking a shot at somebody could have dire consequences. What if somebody unintended had gotten hit? Why is violence always the answer? And this man has the nerve to sit in judgement of other people? Yes, it does affect his job.
This is Haley. I am the youngest daughter of Murry Bowman. First of all I must say don't be quick to judge, that makes you look quite ignorant. That night my Dad was getting me out of a bad situation my Mother and half-sister had put me in. He shot one time at the ground to keep my brother and law from hitting him. If you don't know the whole story then don't act like you do. He's been trying to get the divorce but major events like these, due to my mother and mostly half sister, keep happening. Yes "what ? " he will continue to serve the people of this county. He has done nothing wrong. Whats wrong with trying to protect yourself and your daughters? Not one thing, also "sweet chick", there is nothing funny about this and to think that you think it's hilarious is horrible. Thank you everybody for keeping us in your prayers. This is a really horrible time for all of us. We appreciate all the help you have given us.
- Haley Bowman
I'm sorry one more thing, yes he does have the judgment over others but his one shot was self defence, which is something everybody has the right to so like I said if you don't know the whole story do not even act like it.
I am sorry Haley, but unless someone was in imminent danger of death, there was no excuse for using a gun, especially when someone unexpected could have been hurt. Firing into the ground is not necessarily a good idea either, bullets ricochet. Someone innocent could have been injured or killed. Why go near people who are making your life difficult? Were they physically hurting anyone? Was anyone's like in danger? How dare this man sit in judgement of anyone else when he cannot control himself.
You do not know how the situation went to do not sit there ans try to tell me my father can not control his self. Yes I was in danger. My father was also in danger. There was a three hundred pound man about to hurt him. Daddy has has open heart surgery and major heart surgerys and would have died right then. Excuse you, how dare you sit here and try to say something when you don't even know what happened?
Haley,
You are a very loving, supportive & courageous daughter. I 'm sure difficulties between parents are much more traumatic for the children that for the parents. So many of these folks who are so critical prolly have much bigger skeletons in their closets than you. Only difference is your family's skeleton has been forced out of the closet !
But Haley, keep the faith. You know who you are. Always hold your head high & never doubt your integrity.
Tom
Haley, please do not post anything more...it would be wise in helping your dad. You will get time to speak if you need to or are asked when the case goes to trial. Also, please, please, please be careful about what you and your sisters post on your MySpace or FaceBook profiles. More and more, attorneys are using postings fromt hese sites to determine character. It would be best if you just shut down your MySpace and Facebook time. Having been part of town gossip and fodder myself, I ask that people in town SHUT YOUR MOUTH and do what you can to help/show support no matter what side you are on. This town astounds me sometimes with its' hypocracy.
Haley: You are courageous in defending your father and I support you in that. But do take the advice of louisvilleisasmalltown and say nothing more until you are asked in court. People have a way of taking what you write and twist it by taking it out of context. I believe your story; but it is best heard in a court of law. Prayers to you, your sisters, and your dad.
Haley, you have every right to defend your daddy but people are going to judge him even if they do not know the facts. There are more people in this county that know the truth than you think. Everybody has some idea of the situation and the people you were surrounded by. The people of this town love you, Niki, Kelly, and your daddy. We have watched you girls grow up and this to will clear up and you all will be able to move on. Do watch what you say and where because people can twist every word you type and you know what kind of people you all are up against (we all do.) You girls keep your heads up and hopes high! Murray, we are still supporting you buddy.
I think the judge was in pretty good control. After all he shot into the ground.
I was born in louisville. Everybody knows everybody. If something happens everybody knows it. No secrets thats for sure.
Justus4 - It is a great country because you have been taking advantage of the 1st admendment for a LONG time. If you were in China or North Korea you would not be so lucky.
This is hilarious. It's a crying shame Ken Hodges isn't our DA anymore or you could use him and the courthouse down here in Albany to get this judge actually convicted. Any updates on this story?
Ken had it going on! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hodges
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
