Motions made by attorneys in the capital murder case of Darwin Bowman are on hold after Judge James Chamblin recused himself from the case on Jan. 30.
Chamblin’s reasons for doing so were not revealed.
Defense attorney Joseph Flood said the motions presented on Jan. 30 included, among other things, a defense request that the court exclude evidence,defense requests for funding for an investigator and experts to assist in trial preparation, and a request from the defense to the government to provide information it believes should be turned over in discovery.
These motions will remain on the table until a new judge is assigned to the case.
Bowman, of Annandale, is charged with capital murder and a slew of other offenses in the 2009 killing of William Bennett and savage beating and rape of Cynthia Bennett in Lansdowne.
The attack changed Cynthia Bennett’s life forever and propelled her on an arduous journey to recovery.
William and Cynthia Bennett were walking on Riverside Parkway in Lansdowne when they were attacked near the intersection of Rocky Creek Drive.
William Bennett didn’t survive the attack, killed by what was described as blunt trauma. His body was found discarded just steps from the road.
The details of the attack were described as particularly vicious.
Plowman, who has prosecuted hundreds of cases, said at the time, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Bowman also faces charges of abduction, robbery, rape, object sexual penetration and aggravated malicious wounding. If convicted with capital murder, he could face the death penalty.
Bowman faces a docketed 10-day trial in court, still scheduled to begin on April 10.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office have also named Anthony Roberts, of Middleburg, as a suspect in the case. Although Roberts has not been charged in the Lansdowne attack, he is serving a prison sentence for a string of burglaries in Middleburg and Leesburg and for a slew of other charges. Roberts is expected to be charged in the case.
Judge Chamblin is a fair and honorable Judge. A Judge recusing himself just means that there may be some conflict. He could have had a previous case with this subject and does not want to have any existing biases. Don’t condemn the man because of speculation. It is not uncommon for a Judge to recuse him or herself from a case. That just means he is trying to do the best job he can to make sure that the defendant receives the fairest trial possible. Don’t try and make it sinister.
Too bad we need to waste our tax dollars on this human garbage. Take this POS to the nearest animal shelter and have him euthanized. I have absolutely no sympathy for his worthless a$$ - for what he and his thug friends did to Mr and Mrs Bennett.
Actually, recusing yourself as a Judge makes you a better Judge because if you hadn’t recused yourself, the defendant may be able to get off on a technicality on appeal. Look at the big picture.
“When you become a judge you take on the good, the bad and the ugly. If a judge wants to recuse himnself, than maybe he should not be a judge. Further more, as a taxpayer, he owes us an explanation as to why he chose to do this. Not a good example to our young people.”
What a stupid and utterly ignorant remark, and that goes for “Concerned Citizen” as well. If a competent judge has decided to recuse himself or herself from a case, there are any number of good reasons for doing so.
Loudoun has a great school system but I sense many here did not attend. Judge Chamblin is an excellent judge who has tried many difficult cases over the years fairly and without any fear. Folks, if he recused himself it is for a valid reason I am sure. If he thinks it better that another judge hears the case what possible difference does it make?
When you become a judge you take on the good, the bad and the ugly. If a judge wants to recuse himnself, than maybe he should not be a judge. Further more, as a taxpayer, he owes us an explanation as to why he chose to do this. Not a good example to our young people.
Save our tax dollars, shove a pole up their ass, and put a bullet in them.
He is a very fair Judge, I am sure he had a reason.
What the hell does that mean recused himself? sounds like he shouldnt be a judge if you ask me. Is this Darwin Bowman from Sterling Park? about 22 or 23 years old. Real short spanish cat? Im pretty sure I know this kid and Anthony Roberts from back in the day… I cant believe these fools did this. Well I can but it is kinda crazy… Once a Criminal always a Criminal send em to the Chair…
Plowman hasn’t prosecuted hundreds of cases, he’s too scared and not good enough to step into the courtroom very often. He won’t handle this one himself either.
Too bad Wexton didn’t win, we would have a real prosecutor in the courtroom.
Judge Chamblin is one smart cookie! Even though he has other reasons to recuse himself, I would absolutely hate to sentence these punks to death no matter what. Fault me.
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