Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of First-Degree Murder While Armed in 2014 Stabbing

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One day after attorneys delivered closing arguments, a jury found Mark Bowser guilty of murdering Tracy Womack in a Marshall Heights neighborhood apartment complex nearly eight years ago.

Womack was 39-years-old when she was stabbed more than 40 times on Sept. 20, 2014. Bowser, 39, was arrested the next day.

On March 30, the jury found Bowser guilty of first-degree murder while armed, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and two counts of obstruction of justice. Bowser was found not guilty of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

During the trial, prosecutors called a DNA analyst who testified that DNA from blood found on the defendant’s shirt was a match for Womack. They presented surveillance footage of Bowser leaving the apartment covered in blood, knife in hand. They also called several witnesses who spoke to the events surrounding the murder.

Defense attorney Dorsey Jones sought to cast doubt on the witnesses’ reliability, noting how the other people in the apartment at the time were high or drunk. He also pointed to instances where witnesses contradicted statements they made in prior years. The prosecutor argued it would be more suspicious if the witnesses remembered every detail.

A prosecutor said Womack and Bowser had been seen together before the murder, fondling and kissing. Police reported Womack was found with some of her clothes pulled down. The prosecution suggested this could shed light on Bowser’s motive, though he did not face any sexual abuse charges.

After the jury delivered their verdict, Bowser was sent back to DC Jail. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled him to be sentenced on June 10.