By Kathy Laird
Kyle Bowen, 31, of Galion, turned down a plea agreement in Crawford County Common Pleas Court. Bowen faces three first-degree felony charges for rape and three fourth-degree felony charges for gross sexual imposition.
If convicted, Bowen faces life in prison without the possibility of parole due to the young ages of two of the alleged victims.
The deal was offered by Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler in the hopes of avoiding a trial.
“I really hate to make victims, especially children testify at trial,” Hoovler said.
Bowen appeared with his court appointed attorney Todd Anderson. Bowen notified Judge Sean Leuthold that Bowen’s family was hiring Bowen a new attorney and he was rejecting all plea offers.
When asked who his new attorney is, Bowen could not answer the judge.
Noting that Bowen had every right to reject a plea and go to trial, Leuthold also told Bowen of the court’s right in each case.
“I want you to understand, that as of today, I will not accept another plea offer for you,” Leuthold said. “I will entertain one of two things from you Mr. Bowen; a guilty plea where the attorneys argue for what they believe are adequate sentences for you and the other is a jury’s verdict in this case.”
Trial was set for Feb. 12.
Leuthold advised Bowen that if he did not have a new attorney at the beginning of his trial, Anderson would be representing him.