Dr. Bowen

[Airmid]

While reading testimonies I usually try to see if a witness can be relied upon, within limits of course. I find that building a picture in my mind of the witness' character helps me a lot, although I run the risk of getting prejudiced against that witness in the process. Can't be helped, I guess.

Today's "victim" is Dr. Bowen. I would very much like to hear your opinion about him.
I pretty much made up my mind about him, but I don't want to influence you too much. I'd rather ask you all how you would characterize Dr. Bowen. What type of person do you think he is?

Thanks!
Airmid.

[matt kevin jones]

How about "Sneaky Dr. Bowen "

Just what was written on those slips of paper He burned in the stove ??

[DWilly]

While reading testimonies I usually try to see if a witness can be relied upon, within limits of course. I find that building a picture in my mind of the witness' character helps me a lot, although I run the risk of getting prejudiced against that witness in the process. Can't be helped, I guess.

Today's "victim" is Dr. Bowen. I would very much like to hear your opinion about him.
I pretty much made up my mind about him, but I don't want to influence you too much. I'd rather ask you all how you would characterize Dr. Bowen. What type of person do you think he is?

Thanks!
Airmid.

I think basically he was a good man. However, when it came to the Borden murder I think he was in over his head. He seemed to be genuinely stunned upon seeing the bodies of Abby and Andrew. So much so that he starts to sort of bumble around a bit. When he firsts looks at Abby's body he concludes that she died of a heart attack. Didn't he notice all of that blood near her head? I think there is a possibility he may have covered for Lizzie a bit. He may have known more than he let on about what was going on in the Borden household. Wasn't it Dr. Bowen that raised eyebrows when he took Lizzie to church that one day?

[Kat]

I think Dr. Bowen was caught off-guard. He had counciled Abby Wednesday morning and probably flipped when he found out the Bordens' were dead. I don't think he thought Lizzie did it, else he would not have been protective of her at the outset.
He made a comment that I thought was odd- at one point he was asked about the others' reactions and he pretty much said he had dead bodies on his hands and he thought the living could take care of themselves (paraphrased).* For a doctor, I think that is weird. It shows his priorities. It was with the dead Andrew and not any other family member at first.
Later that night, the papers said he refused to come over anymore to the Borden's house. Apparently Lizzie was wakeful or being difficult and Dr. Bowen put his foot down. I think at that point he was overtired and would not dance attendance on a fitful Lizzie anymore.
These are different sides to him. I have a feeling his wife was a stabilizing factor for him. I think he probably liked his routine and when that was upset, he didn't quite know how to act or react.
I think of him as a sort of bumbling professor, although I think he was well-regarded in his community as a doctor.
.....
*Prelim, 122(29)
Q. Was she [Lizzie] faint?
A. Not as I know of at that time. As I found two people murdered there, I supposed the rest would take care of themselves pretty well.