Judge Reschedules Trial in Murder Case

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During a motion hearing on March 12, a new trial date was set for an almost six-year-old murder case. 

Mark Bowser is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or place of business and obstruction of justice for allegedly stabbing 39-year-old Tracy Womack on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE on Sept. 20, 2014.

The case was previously set to go to trial in April. But, the defense said a new trial date was necessary because Bowser’s defense attorney, Betty Ballester, would not be available.

Ballester said she will be out of town for one week at the end of March and one week in the middle of April, when the trial was set to take place. 

Apparently, a witness told police that a male individual entered Womack’s house uninvited. When told that Womack was sleeping, the individual pushed his way past the the witness and into the victim’s bedroom. 

Seconds later, that witness reported screaming coming from Womack’s bedroom.

The witness said Womack yelled, “he’s cutting and stabbing me.” The witness then said the individual left the building, walking south on Benning Road.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled to occur on July 10. Trial is slated to begin on July 27. 

This article was written by MiriYam Judd.