On the advice of his attorney, Christopher Bowman pleaded guilty to being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated and assault and battery in an incident that took place Oct. 27 at his Lake Orion apartment.
Felonious charges against the 37-year-old were dismissed during a Nov. 22 preliminary exam at Rochester’s 52/3 District Court , according to Lake Orion Village Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
‘After Bowman was arraigned, the victim provided an amended statement to prosecutors. Based on that information, the felonious assault was dismissed,? Narsh said.
‘The police department was confident in our ability to prove charges in the original complaint. We knew all along the victim and Bowman were friends, which made it twice as difficult for all parties involved. The police department is satisfied with the verdict and hope Mr. Bowman gets the help he needs.?
April Freeman, the victim, said in The Lake Orion Review on Nov. 17 that the incident was blown out of proportion. Bowman was accused of pointing a gun at her when she walked into his apartment.
Narsh said alcohol was a factor in the incident.
Freeman, also a village resident, said she and Bowman were best friends and it was all a ‘misunderstanding.? She did admit Bowman is suffering from depression, was taking anti-depressants and wasn’t supposed to be drinking.
Bowman, a former ice skating champion, was known as Bowman the Showman. He appeared in two Olympics (1988 and 1992) and had a role in the TV series ‘Little House on the Prairie.?