FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST-DEGREE ARSON; SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER REIMPOSED
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST-DEGREE ARSON; SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER REIMPOSED
Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Julia Martz-Fisher sentenced 49-year old Byron Alton Bowie, Jr. to serve 30 years in the Department of Corrections for First-Degree Arson. The Arson, committed in 2023, constituted a violation of the terms of the Defendant’s probation relating to a First-Degree Murder conviction from 1992. The Court imposed a concurrent life sentence for the Violation of Probation.
On November 24, 2023 at approximately 9:00 pm, Frederick Police responded to 2203 Waller House Court for a possible domestic in progress. A neighbor and witness told police that a male was in a verbal dispute on the rear deck and was threatening a female saying he was going to burn everything down and kill everyone inside. Police did not find anyone inside the townhouse. Frederick County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene shortly thereafter and observed flames on the roof and in the windows of the structure. The Defendant was observed on home surveillance footage forcibly making entry by breaking glass on a rear door that allowed entry to the house from the deck. Police arrested the Defendant around 10pm near Whittier Drive and identified him as the male who broke in prior to the fire starting. The victim arrived on scene to find her home extensively damaged by fire and smoke.
On August 1, 2024, the Defendant pleaded guilty to 1st Degree Arson pursuant to a binding plea agreement for the November 24, 2023 incident and also stipulated to being in violation of his probation.
At the time of the arson, the Defendant was being supervised by the Division of Parole of Probation after having been released following a sentence modification hearing in May 2022 pursuant to a recently-enacted provision of law allowing for modification of sentences for crimes committed as a juvenile and charged as an adult.
Chief, Assistant State’s Attorney, Economic Crimes Unit, Jason Shoemaker and Assistant State’s Attorney, Tim Gilbert represented the State of Maryland.
Press Contact:
Jacqueline Rottmann
Court Media Relations Officer
301-600-2972
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
####
