Judge Sets 2023 Trial Dates for Homicide Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge scheduled trial dates for a defendant who was charged with murder in 2014.

Mark Bowser, 41, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 39-year-old Tracy Womack. On Sept. 20, 2014, Womack was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE.

During the May 3 proceedings, defense attorney Dorsey Jones said he just got appointed to the case but has familiarized himself with most of the facts. He also said he was having trouble visiting his client at the DC Jail due to pandemic restrictions.

Judge Juliet McKenna said all of 2021 and 2022 is booked for felony jury trials.

“The reality is we will know a lot more in two months if additional courtrooms will open up,” she said.

Judge McKenna suggested setting another hearing in 60 to 75 days when parties had a better sense of courtroom availability.

Parties asked Judge McKenna to set trial dates as well as a status hearing because they were worried that the case would be pushed back much later. She agreed to do so but emphasized that she was making an exception due to the age of the case and the fact that previous defense counsel had abruptly dropped it.

Jury selection is set for Feb. 22 and 23, 2023. The trial is to begin on Feb. 24, 2023, and end on March 10, 2023.

According to court documents, Bowser’s trial dates have been rescheduled several times throughout the trajectory of his case. He has been indicted twice: once in 2015 and then again in 2018.

Bowser received two additional charges in 2018 for obstructing justice when he allegedly tried to intimidate a witness from testifying. He is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon in this case.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 23.

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