Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Marianne Bowler
Marianne B. Bowler was a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She assumed office on May 7, 1990, and retired effective May 6, 2022.[1][2]
Early life and education
Judge Bowler was born in 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her A.B. degree from Regis College in 1967 and her J.D. degree from Suffolk Law School in 1976. In 1994, Bowler was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Suffolk University.[1][3]
Professional career
Prior to joining the court, Bowler was an assistant United States attorney. She previously served as a prosecutor for Middlesex County and the Massachusetts District Courts.[3]
Judicial career
District of Massachusetts
Bowler was a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She assumed office on May 7, 1990, and retired effective May 6, 2022.[1][2]
Noteworthy cases
Boston bombing suspects' hearings (2013)
- See also: United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (United States v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, No. 13-MJ-02016)
- See also: United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (United States v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, No. 13-MJ-02016)
On April 22, 2013, Judge Bowler presided over the initial appearance of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, while he was hospitalized. He was charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and malicious destruction of property for a bombing which caused the death of three civilians and injuries to over 200 more.[4] Though early reports indicated Tsarnaev was unable to speak due to injuries sustained during the manhunt that led to his capture, later reports confirmed that he was actually able to reveal details of the attack to investigators. Several Republican lawmakers publicly criticized Judge Bowler's actions during the appearance, as reports also indicate that Tsarnaev stopped talking upon Bowler's entering the room and advising him of his right to remain silent. They allege she prevented the collection of valuable intelligence. Bowler's spokesman declined to comment, though a Boston U.S. Attorney's Office representative said there was nothing unusual about the judge's actions.[5] Click here to read the full transcript of Tsarnaev's bedside hearing.
Dzokhar Tsarnaev was indicted on June 27, 2013, with Judge George O'Toole presiding, thus minimizing Judge Bowler's role.[6]
Judge Bowler presided over the court appearances of Tsarnaev's friend, Robel Phillipos, accused of lying to investigators. On May 6, 2013, she ordered his release on $100,000 bond, on the conditions that he remain in his mother's home and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. The federal prosecutors previously requested he remain detained until his trial, based on the assertion he was a flight risk, but changed their position after meeting and reaching an agreement with his lawyers.[7][8]
Judge Bowler oversaw Phillipos' probable cause hearing on July 12, 2013.[9] On March 6, 2014, she appointed Derege Demissie as a taxpayer-funded lawyer to represent Phillipos, even though he had already hired Demissie. The appointment was made on a "procedural basis," as Phillipos was too indigent to pay Demissie.[10]
See also
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, "Biography of Marianne B. Bowler," archived February 4, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Boston Patent Law Association, "Retirement of Judge Bowler and Opening for Appointment of New Magistrate Judge," accessed May 12, 2022
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bloomberg Businessweek, "Executive Profile: Marianne B. Bowler," accessed March 8, 2014
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev charged," April 22, 2013
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Boston Bombing Judge Emerges as Target for Republicans," May 15, 2013
- ↑ Courthouse News Service, "Tsarnaev indicted," June 27, 2013
- ↑ Newsday, "Robel Phillipos after release in Boston bombings: 'This is crazy,'" May 7, 2013
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Judge orders Cambridge man released on bail," May 6, 2013
- ↑ MyFOXBoston, "Hearing for bomb suspect's friend delayed," May 29, 2013
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Judge appoints lawyer for Tsarnaev friend," March 6, 2014
