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  • Attorney Todd Houck, left, confers with his client, Christopher Bowling, during a hearing in Raleigh County Circuit Court Tuesday morning. Bond was denied for Bowling in the shooting death of his wife. Rick Barbero

    090110BowlingHearing
September 1, 2010

Bond again denied for murder suspect; judge cites domestic violence concerns

By Andrea Lannom Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — Raleigh County Circuit Judge John Hutchison denied bond for a second time Tuesday for a Daniels man accused of the January shooting death of his wife.

Hutchison, who ruled against bond following a hearing in April, said evidence shows 38-year-old Christopher Wayne Bowling “may not” be a flight risk, but there is “significant concern” about domestic violence within the family.

Bowling was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his 34-year-old wife, Tresa, in the head on Jan. 31.

Defense attorney Todd Houck requested bond, saying the shooting death was accidental, and even if Bowling had intent, Bowling still would not be a risk to the community.

“The prosecutor thinks he had intent to kill his wife because of their relationship in the past,” he said. “Even if that is correct, he is not a threat to the community.”

Prosecutor Kristen Keller argued that Bowling is a risk to the community and his children.

“If the little girl would have been on the sofa, she would have been dead, too,” Keller said. “This is not an accident. He said he took out the gun and didn’t know what happened next. We all know what happened next.”

Beckley attorney James Anderson testified he has known Bowling throughout his life and said he does not believe him to be a danger.

“I’ve seen him at Theatre West Virginia parties — since his mother is a manager there — and I would see him with his daughter,” he said. “You can tell he cares about her. I don’t think he is a danger to the community or to his kids.”

Witness Sherry Yon said she met Bowling in the spring of 2006 when she hired him as a contractor for her house. Yon said she had a personal relationship with the family and was aware of Bowling’s drinking problem. However, Yon said he was never “threatening.”

“He would get a little belligerent off liquor, but he was just mouthy,” she said. “I never saw him get physical and he never got threatening.”

When Keller asked Yon if it worried her that Bowling carried a gun when he was drinking, Yon said it was not a worry.

“It didn’t concern me,” she said. “Everyone out that way carries a gun.”

State Police Sgt. M.A. Painter testified he has known Bowling for 10 years. After the incident, Painter said, he visited Tresa’s parents while they were in the hospital after Tresa’s death.

“Mr. Farley said he wasn’t surprised and said there was a history of domestic in the family,” Painter said.

Painter recalled how Bowling had told him that upon getting home that night he realized he had the gun in his pocket and took it out. Painter said the next thing Bowling knew, Tresa was shot. However, Painter added, a few facts in Bowling’s story did not match up, such as the location of shell casings.

“He asked me if he was going to be arrested and I said I didn’t know because I wasn’t the investigating officer,” he said. “Based on what they told me, though, I told him that I would put him in jail. He had told me that he wanted to kill her thousands of times, but not that day because it was a good day.” 

Colleen McCulloch and Teresa Daniel said they had appointments to talk and meet with their wards, Bowling’s children. Both said it was not in the best interest of the children to have Bowling free on bond.

“No changes have been made,” McCulloch said. “I think it would be psychologically dangerous if he were free on bond. She (the child) is frightened. She believes she will be harmed by him.”

Bowling was transported back to Southern Regional Jail where he has been incarcerated since his arrest.

— E-mail: alannom@register-herald.com

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