(Photo : Unsplash/Grant Durr)
The release of a suspected serial rapist on what many are calling a "sweetheart deal" has stoked significant public concerns over safety. Bowen Turner, the 21-year-old accused who allegedly committed three brutal rapes, is now out on the streets after merely 483 days in prison. Turner also reportedly breached his bond conditions over 50 times yet evaded stringent punishment.
Department of Corrections Greenlights Turner's Release
According to prison records, the South Carolina Department of Corrections allowed Turner's heartbreaking release on Sept. 14, following a review of his case. The son of a local prosecutor's investigator was initially facing criminal sexual conduct charges, potentially serving up to 30 years in prison. However, Turner walked free after pleading guilty to lesser charges - a first-degree assault and battery. An agreement secured under the Youthful Offender Act led to his probation in April 2022 and successfully bypassed the sex offender registry.
Allegations and Unfortunate Consequences
In 2018 and 2019, three women came forward accusing Turner of rape. The proceedings concerning his first alleged victim did not see daylight as both Turner and the girl were minors at the time. In a tragic turn of events, the second woman, Dallas Stoller, committed suicide at 20 owing to persistent bullying after she aired the accusations against Turner.
Stoller's sibling, Brette Tabatabai, shared dreadful details of the fall of 2018 attack on her sister, highlighting the severity of physical abuse inflicted on the victim. Despite being charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct regarding Stoller's allegations, Turner was out on a $100,000 bond within a month.
While on release, Turner was implicated in yet another sexual assault case involving Chloe Bess, a pastor's daughter. During her riveting interview with the Murdaugh Murders podcast in April 2022, Bess vividly described the horrifying incident, revealing how Turner preyed on her at a house party back in June 2019.
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Failure of House Arrest and Plea Deal
With the cases pending, Turner was under house arrest with an imposed 7 p.m. curfew, which he casually ignored. His ankle monitor recorded several instances of Turner defying house arrest rules, including playing golf 19 times, partaking in social gatherings, shopping, and dining out. He even left the state once, as noted in the court documents. Not one of the alleged rape cases went to trial, with the sweetheart plea deal ultimately sentencing Turner to probation in April 2022.
Turner Finally Lands in Prison, Survivors Seek Justice
Ignoring his probation, Turner found himself arrested on charges such as minor possessions, disorderly conduct, and threatening a public employee. His resistance to the COVID protocols at the Orangeburg County jail, coupled with a violent threat to a deputy, finally landed him in prison. His term lasted 16 months.
Turner's release, as Sara Barber, the executive director of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, points out, is a distressing example of how legal systems can sometimes fail victims and survivors of sexual assault.
A Call for Expert Legal Assistance
The Bowen Turner case marks a more significant systemic issue, underscoring the value of expert legal help. A skilled representative can effectively navigate the complex and occasionally deficient legal system, ensuring every detail of the case is aggressively pursued all evidence meticulously presented. This limits potential miscarriages of justice or seemingly unchecked indulgence in sweetheart deals, keeping public safety at the forefront.
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