Woodbridge man not guilty of attempted robbery

By Amanda Stewart

Published: July 29, 2008

A Woodbridge man was recently acquitted for charges stemming from a September shooting during a jury trial in Prince William Circuit Court.

After a two-day trial, Edward Bowman, 28, was found not guilty of attempted robbery, malicious wounding and use or display of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Bowman was charged for a Sept. 2 shooting in the 4600 block of Central Park Drive in Dale City.

During last week's trial, jurors heard two versions of that night's events: one told by the alleged victim, Mario

Ortiz, and one told by Bowman.

In his testimony, Bowman said he planned to meet Ortiz in that area that night to buy drugs from him.

Ortiz said he had sold Bowman drugs in the past, but did not plan to sell him any that night.

Once the two met, Bowman pulled out a gun and attempted to rob him, Ortiz told jurors.

Bowman testified that Ortiz was the one who pulled a gun on him.

The two men began struggling over the weapon and fell down a hill. The gun went off and Ortiz was shot in the the thigh. He also had two superficial gunshot wounds on his back.

Ortiz said after the shooting, he took control of the gun and Bowman ran away. He said he shot at Bowman as he ran away, but no bullets hit him. Ortiz then ran to a friend's house for help.

Ortiz said he was still carrying the gun when he arrived at his friend's house. His friend told him to put it down, so he dropped it in the bushes in front of the house.

The gun was later found buried in the backyard, police said.

At the end of the two-day trail, the jury found Bowman not guilty of all charges.

Ortiz was not charged.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.