Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-25
BOWLER PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER0 OF
GARFIELD MILLER ON WILLIAMSPORT PIKE;
GIVEN LIFE SENTENCE IN PEN|TENTIARY
VSiby Nervous When Arragned And Answers Are Shaky
Makes No Statement To Court-SentenCe Made On Rec
concentration OF State-NorWak Cases Started.

John a. Bowler, OF Lynchbura,
Va, self-confessed murderer OF
Garfield n. Miller, HaoerstoWn
taxcab driver, on February
near Falling Waters with his
own voice entered a plea Of gull
ty OF first degree murder when
arragned this afternoon before
Judge Woods In Circuit Court.
The Court thcreupon sentenced
him to serve tho remainder OF
his natural life In the state peri.
tcntlary.
Bowler was visibly nervous dur
Ing the procedure which meant his
removal from the outside world. As
he stood to hear the reading or the
indictment he shifted uneasily from
one foot to the ether and his hands
showed nervousness, as did his ex-
preston. To the formal question OF
what he had to say to the charge he
replied in a husky. although intelli.
gible, voice that he was Guilty
Apparently unaware of tho next
move he sat down, hut he was call
cd to his feet again by tho Court
which proceeded to pronounce sen.
tonce. Judge Woods explained that
counsel for the defense had confer
red with the state on the case aSsto
the facts of the case and that The
conclusion. in which Prosecuting At.
torney Hannis conourred, had been
communicated to him Ia the, form OF
n recommendation for life impris-
onment. Bowler was then asked
whether he wished to make any
statement on II he knew OF any,
reason why Judgment should not be
pronounced. He replied huslyily that
he had nothing TO say. The life
sentence was then pronounced. with
the provision that the defendant
should remain in the custody OF the
iailers until guard should come
from the penitentiary to take him
away.
Ends Without Display.
Judge Woods eame to tho Bench
this afternoon for the sole purpose
Of settling the Bowler case, the de.
cision being pronounced about 1.50.
There were not more than dozen
spectators In the room at tho time,
with abour the same number OF at
torneys grouped about the counsel
table Emancipation OF another trial.
Prosecuting Attorney Hannis and
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Rodgers were present representing
the State. while Col Stuart w.
Walker and Attorney II. n. Byrer
appeared for the defendant Bowler
was unshackled as he stood for sem
tence. He appeared neatly dressed.
as he has at all his hearings. and
clean shaver today.
The very ordinary procedure this
afternoon brings 10 an end a case
which for time promised to be.
and was, the most mysterious that
the county has ever experienced.
The deed. IL will be recalled. took
place early one morning near Failing
Waters. the murdered mans body
being found on the side of the roam
by some motorists. His car was
gone, and four shots had entered his
body. West Virginia and Maryland
authorities co-operated in running
down some clues which at first led
in the wrong direction. Bowler, ~
that time. was not dreamed OF NY
having any connection with tlIp
crime. About a month later the car
was found in Charlottesville, Va,
when It was offered for sale. The
police Immediately followed that
clue, arrested Bowler. brought him
back here, discovered some blood.
stained clothes In his possession ann
established other discriminating evl-
dence. Bowler denied everything a.
first, claiming that he had bought
the car from a stranger. Then the
police learned that Bowler had been
in Chambersburg for a few days
before the murder, and witnesses
as to his presence there came to
Martinsburg and were presented b.
fore Bowler. The latter still main
tanned his innocence. These WIZ
nesses were then dismissed, and the
State again asked Bowler, in the Of
flee of the State with few WI
nesses present, II he wanted to
make any statement. Then it was,
with an air of resignation, that Bow
Ter threw up his hands and confess
ed to the crime, declaring that he
had been drinking excessively and
unWisely and that in moment 0
anger he killed Miller who had in
sisted upon him standing all the ex-
pense. He dumped the body over
the side OF the car and then fed fo-
Virginia where he was subsequently
caught.
Col. Brown on Bench.
Col Forrest W Brown OF Charles
Town, took the Rench this morning
in the opening trial of the Norw1lk
casrs which are expected TO last un'
I'll Thursday BY aErcemeut Of COIN
sci previously entered in a court Or
der, Col Brown will hear the cases
in lion OF urY The jurors. III.
rocted last friday to report back
for duty this morning, were excused
shortly after Court opened until
Thursday morning at $50.