11.23.11: Hunter Sentenced for Killing Veteran in Carryout Robbery
November 23, 2011 --- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill sentenced Michael Hunter today to life plus 70 years in prison, with all but 50 years suspended, for killing Charles Bowman Sr., a 72-year-old veteran of the Vietnam War, and holding up two others in a carryout restaurant in April 2010.
Hunter and co-defendant Troy Taylor entered the carryout at 29th Street and Greenmount Avenue on April 8, 2010, and demanded money from the three customers inside.
During the armed robbery, Hunter shot and killed Bowman, who routinely bought his dinner at the restaurant en route to his job as an overnight security guard at the Baltimore Afro American Newspaper. The robbery yielded $13.
Taylor, 19, pled guilty in March 2011 to first-degree murder, the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and other charges. He was sentenced to life, with all but 35 years suspended.
The jury convicted Hunter, 20, on September 28, 2011, of first-degree murder, three counts of using a handgun in the commission of a crime, and armed robbery. For the handgun convictions, Judge Fletcher Hill sentenced Hunter to 15 years without the possibility of parole. Hunter's prison sentence will be followed by five years of probation.
Assistant State's Attorney Theresa M. Shaffer prosecuted both cases.