Dear friends, family and concerned citizens,
On May 19th, 1985, Father John Karastamatis was brutally bludgeoned and stabbed to death in The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Cruz California. This inhumane act was done by Edward Bowman (CDC#E00064) and his wife Ann Bowman.
When the police went to question Ann, she stood on the porch, pointed a gun at them, and proceeded to shoot at the officers. After almost killing one officer, they returned fire. Ann then killed herself.
Edward Bowman was eligible for the death penalty, but pled guilty to avoid execution. Bowman was sentenced to a term of 25 years to life. Due to, now outdated, sentencing guidelines, he is now eligible for parole. His hearing is scheduled for January 9, 2020 at 8:30 am at the California Health Care Facility 7707 Austin Rd. Stockton Ca. 95215.
Things you should know:
This brutal crime was pre-meditated. Detectives involved in this case believe these criminals were responsible for other crimes, and suspected of other murders. One theory is that they told Father John, in counseling, of their crimes. They became nervous that Father John would inform the authorities and then planned his murder to ensure Father John remained silent. As he lay dying they rifled through Father John's pockets, searched his office and stole items from the Church.
Psychiatrists who examine Bowman have expressed that he has sociopath tendencies, is a pathological liar and to this day expresses little to no remorse. This is further shown to be true as Edward Bowman while bragging of the brutal murder to Ann's son, threatened to kill him if he said anything about the murder. During a past parole hearing, Bowman smirked and became giddy when the report stated in graphic detail how Father John's neck was cut and nearly decapitated, as this was a technique taught to US Marines such as himself.
To this day, our family, the church Father John founded, friends and community members still suffer. Please help us make sure this monster continues to pay for his crime, and that everyone else can rest easier knowing one less predator is on the streets.
All of us involved thank you for your time and interest in this matter and we hope you will send in your petition to keep Edward Lee Bowman (CDC#E00064) incarcerated.
Sincerely,
Foti Karastamatis
email: justiceforfrjohn@gmail.com
You can read more by cutting and pasting the links below. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of pages written about Fr John.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2010/02/01/parole-hearing-stirs-memories-of-the-murder-of-the-santa-cruz-greek-orthodox-churchs-first-priest/
http://myocn.net/oppose-parole-man-killed-fr-john-karastamatis/
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