Columbia, S.C. Panel Deliberates on Appeals in the Bowen Turner Case
In the bustling heart of Columbia, South Carolina, a three-judge panel from the state Appellate Court is currently sifting through the details of a controversial case involving Bowen Turner. Turner, who now at 22 years old has faced charges as a teenager for multiple alleged sexual assaults, has stirred considerable attention and concern in the community. The panel met for hearings on Tuesday, as both the prosecution and defense presented their arguments on two critical appeals.
A Look Back at the Case
Bowen Turner, a resident of Orangeburg County, was accused of assaulting three teenage girls and faced an array of legal troubles, including more than 50 violations of bond. One of the brave women who stepped forward, Chloe Bess, shared her feelings about the hearing, expressing a newfound sense of hope. “The things that were said. It was nice to hear,” she remarked. “I just hope that the right decision is made. That way moving forward this doesn’t happen to other victims.”
On the table during the hearing were two primary appeals. The first focuses on Bess’s rights as a victim, while the second question at hand is whether Turner should remain a registered sex offender.
The Defense’s Stance
Turner’s defense attorney, Bob Dudek, made his case by highlighting Turner’s age at the time of the alleged incidents and pointing to his struggles with alcohol. Dudek argued, “A guy who was a teenage boy with an alcohol problem when this all occurred, certainly being placed on the sex offender registry would super costly to any chance, any chance of a normal life.” This perspective suggests that Turner’s youth and circumstances should play a role in how he is judged moving forward.
Back in 2022, Turner entered a plea deal, pleading guilty to assault and battery for which he was placed on probation. However, just a month later, he was arrested again for a separate incident that included disorderly conduct and alcohol-related charges. At that time, Turner threatened an Orangeburg County deputy, leading to his mandatory registration as a sex offender.
The State’s Argument
On the other side of the courtroom, the state contended that the original sentencing judge indeed had the authority to place Turner on the sex offender registry, arguing any violation of probation automatically warranted such a designation. Matthew Buchanan, representing the state’s Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, stated, “The authority to put Mr. Turner on the sex offender registry came from that original plea.”
Victim’s Rights at the Center
The second appeal centers around the rights of the victims, particularly Bess, who felt overlooked during the plea process. Her attorney, Sarah Ford, articulated that victims should be allowed a voice, especially before any plea deals are finalized. “Let’s make it a rule, a procedure, for our criminal court and our judges to say, ‘Yes, we will hear from victims at a point that’s meaningful for them,’” she urged, advocating for a system that prioritizes the voices of victims rather than treating them as mere formalities in the process.
Counterarguments from the State
Contrarily, the state argued that creating such a procedure would be outside the appellate court’s authority. Mark Farthing, an attorney with the state Attorney General’s Office, insisted that it was within the general assembly’s jurisdiction to define how victims are heard.
A Step Towards Healing
As both sides wait for a decision—which could take months—Bess expressed that the process has been a significant step towards her healing. “Today is one of the first days I feel supported and validated by the court system and by one of the judges on the panel,” she said, reflecting on the proceedings. Her words evoked a sense of encouragement for those who have faced similar situations.
Currently, Turner is in the custody of the state Department of Corrections, but as this case unfolds, the community watches closely, hoping for a ruling that not only brings justice to the victims but also fosters a system that prioritizes their voices in the future.
