A New York man who allegedly stabbed a male guest to death in the Liberty Lodge in Loyalsock Township in late April is headed to trial in Lycoming County.
Robert B. Bohart, 46, of Erin, allegedly stabbed 53-year-old Shannon Bowes on April 26, believing he was a pedophile, with no evidence to support that claim in this case.
Bohart’s preliminary hearing was Friday.
He was represented by Lycoming County Deputy Chief Public Defender Matthew Welickovitch who said what was presented at the hearing was “circumstantial evidence,” and “no direct statements” were made by his client that would “lead to the conclusion that he was somehow involved.”
Welickovitch told District Judge Gary A. Whiteman, presiding at the hearing, said that he would “reserve technical argument for a later date.”
Prosecutor, Lycoming County District Attorney Thomas A. Marino presented several witnesses including Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. and members of the state police.
Bowes, who was living at the motel, was found deceased with stab wounds on his chest and face in his room about 10:30 a.m. April 27, Trooper Brian Moore, a criminal investigator, who is the affiant, testified.
Hotel surveillance camera footage reviewed revealed the two men were back and forth in their rooms, sharing alcoholic beverages, Moore stated.
Police had been called to the motel at 2021 E. Third St. to check actually on Bohart’s welfare because he was “making some concerning comments about a neighbor staying in the room next to his.”
Bohart told a trooper that “He would not be answering the door. He’s dead.”
Cpl. Michael App testified a master key was used to open Room 107, which was Bowes’ room and that a deceased bloodied man was inside the room with facial and chest wounds along with a knife lying on the floor.
Soon after arriving at the Montoursville barracks, Bohart took off his right shoe with blood suspected on it and gave it to a trooper, telling him “You may want this.”
Kiessling said the autopsy report indicated the forensic pathologist said he died of blunt sharp force trauma.
Bohart faces charges of criminal homicide, possession of an instrument of crime and abuse of a corpse and remains in county prison without bail.