Bowers Pleads Not Guilty to 6 Charges

A Zanesville man pleads not guilty to six charges, including murder, in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court this morning.

26-year-old Reese Bowers is accused of fatally shooting 27-year-old Dajuan McKenzie near the intersection of Ohio Street and Luck Avenue on April 21st.

He faces two counts of murder with a firearms specification, one count of voluntary manslaughter with two firearms specifications, one count of having a weapon while under disability, one count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and one count tampering with evidence.

He was arraigned in court in front of Judge Mark Fleegle.

"We believe the trial of facts will show the case of potential, perfect self-denfense. He realizes these are serious charges, " says Defense Attorney, Joseph Scott.

But Muskingum County Prosecutor, Mike Haddox, says Bowers allegedly committed a crime, fled to Franklin County, and hid from authorities before being caught in Whitehall during the weekend of May 8th for a routine traffic stop.

"This is a serious case. The defendent did use a weapon in this case. The state believes it has a strong case against the defendent, " says Haddox.

Judge Fleegle continued Bowers bond at one million dollars.