Miami County beating death brings 18 years to life

A jury last August was unable to reach agreement on those charges but found Bowen guilty of safecracking.

He was sentenced Monday on all four charges.

Bowen declined comment before sentencing in front of Judge Christopher Gee.

County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said Graley’s death was “the most alarming and most egregious case” involving blunt force trauma in his more than 20 years as a prosecutor.

“This is just a despicable set of facts by a despicable human being,” Kendell said. “This defendant should never have the luxury of walking among us again.”

Graley’s body was found Oct. 23, 2014, under brush in the backyard of his home. He had been reported missing to the sheriff’s office the previous day.

During the trial, investigators said Graley died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Prosecutors said a sledgehammer found in a wooded area behind the house with the DNA of both Graley and Bowen was believed to be the murder weapon.

Bowen returned to the county in late September 2014 from South Carolina. Prosecutors said he moved in with friend Graley because he had no place to stay four days before Graley disappeared.

Graley’s friends and family testified that Bowen told them different stories on Graley’s whereabouts after he was last seen earlier in the month. Among the stories was that Graley had left him in charge of his home and drug business while he went to a relative’s funeral in Michigan.

Graley’s mother Terri Coburn said her son “didn’t deserve to be blindsided by a friend.” She said Bowen showed no respect for her son or remorse for his actions.

Gee said Bowen’s conduct showed depravity and callousness and that he was a threat to the public. The judge reviewed testimony in which investigators said the body was left outside to the elements, covered by debris and sticks, and friends talked of Bowen watching Graley’s TV, eating his food and playing his video games while they questioned his whereabouts.

“Joe Graley was the type of person who would help anyone …you murdered a man who extended his home to you,” Gee said.