BEDFORD — A man convicted of biting, slapping, choking and then raping his girlfriend will serve 20 years in prison.
Michael Nicholas Bowden, 21, of Bedford, was convicted of rape, abduction and malicious wounding in a jury trial in June. The jury at the time recommended a 48-year sentence on the three convictions.
“When I heard this jury verdict, my initial reaction was ‘It’s too much time for this case,’” said Bedford County Circuit Court Judge James Updike. “I am mindful of the role that jurors have in our system. … Trial by jury is sacred.”
Updike said he weighed the jury’s recommendation carefully before deciding to sentence Bowden to 20 years in prison, but cautioned that any problems after his release would result in him serving another 28 years.
Bowden must also undergo anger and sex offender evaluation and treatment and is ordered to have no contact with his victim.
Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Krantz said Bowden and his victim got into an argument at his house in February. It was there that he slapped her, choked her and bit her. During trial, Bowden told the court that the two had gotten into an argument and had made up prior to having consensual sex.
“It is the commonwealth’s argument that it wasn’t consensual, it was surrender,” Krantz said. “Nothing justifies the beating and rape of anyone.”
Krantz said Bowden has a violent temper and added that Bowden believes what he did to the victim was not wrong. He said Bowden’s temper is such that he struck his mother.
Quoting the sex offender evaluation, Krantz said there are indicators that Bowden likes to put his sexual partners though pain and humiliation in the sex act. It also indicated a concern for public safety if Bowden were to be released into the community.
“Bowden is a dangerous person,” Krantz said. “He is one of those people who believes what he did was right. … He said ‘Yes, I hit her. Yes, I choked her. I don’t know if I bit her. But we made up. That’s how you do it.’ He beat her into submission.”
Defense Attorney Richard Lawrence argued that it wasn’t the rape of a stranger, rather one involving two people who had consensual sex before. He also entered testimony regarding the young woman’s MySpace.com profile where the results of a quiz were posted that implied that she liked rough sex.
Bowden read a prepared statement apologizing and saying he hates that he hurt so many people that he loves.
“I let anger and emotions take control of me,” he said. “I can’t help but think about how young and stupid I have been.”
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