Bowser has bail reduction denied
A Lyndora man accused of lending a vehicle to another person to dispose of a homicide victim's body continues to be held in the county jail after a bail reduction request was denied in Butler County Court on Friday.
Joshua W. Bowser, 22, continues to be held in the Butler County Prison on $100,000 bail, after being charged June 13 with felony hindering apprehension, and misdemeanor criminal conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, in the homicide investigation regarding the shooting death of 26-year-old Melissa Barto on June 8.
Bowser's attorney, Ken Harris, filed the motion asking for Bowser to be released on his own recognizance or on nominal bail. Judge Timothy McCune denied that motion based on the charges and allegations behind those charges.
During Friday's proceeding Harris said Bowser has no prior convictions and if convicted, the bottom of the standard range for sentencing on the charges calls for time served to three months.
Bowser testified Friday that he lives with family in Lyndora and was employed at the time of his arrest. He also said while incarcerated, he has continued counseling with Family Psychological Services and has made preparations to continue that counseling if released.
Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz argued that the bond was appropriate based on the severity of allegations against Bowser.
“He knew (Bartow's murder) was what the car was going to be used for, and allowed it to occur,” she said.
Bowser was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police during the investigation into Barto's death. Police say her boyfriend, Ishemer Ramsey, 21, also of Lyndora, shot and killed her in his vehicle on June 8, during an argument over his belief that she had been unfaithful to him.
