Teen accused of killing vet won VFW contest
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 7, 2008 17:14:32 EST

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — The southeast Missouri teenager who won a VFW contest last year with an essay titled “My Role in Honoring America’s Veterans” is now accused of killing a man who served in the Air Force.

Marcus Bowers, 18, of Scott City, was indicted Thursday on charges of first-degree murder in the September death of Stanley Hagan, 45. Police say Bowers slammed Hagan’s head into a tie-down stake outside the victim’s mobile home in Scott County.

Bowers was the winner of the Scott City VFW post’s Voice of Democracy essay contest. He was presented his award in a ceremony at Scott City High School on Veterans Day — nearly two months after Hagan’s death, which was originally believed to be accidental. Police became suspicious and kept the murder investigation a secret, in part to avoid tipping Bowers and to protect witnesses, they said.

“Have you ever thought about what it would be like staring into the eyes of someone who wanted to kill you, or hearing bombs exploding not knowing if the next one will hit you?” the essay begins. “In the United States of America approximately twenty-five million people have done that and more for our freedom in the wars involving our country. We should celebrate the history of Veterans Day and realize the importance of honoring our veterans.”

Nancy Caldwell oversaw the judging of the entries and said other students were excited to see Bowers win. Caldwell said a teacher had told her that Bowers had a troubled past and his peers were excited that he was “trying to make a turnaround.”

When Bowers read his essay at the ceremony, Caldwell said, he “got almost a standing ovation.”

However, Bowers stopped attending school before the semester ended in December, principal Kerry Thompson said.

Bowers was arrested Dec. 11 for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

Bowers’ father, Mark Bowers, said his son had “been a good kid” and made As and Bs in his classes. He declined comment on the charges against him.

His grandmother, Wanda Bowers, said, “Marcus didn’t do what they said he did.

“But I’m his grandmother, so you have to take that into account,” she said.

Authorities have not discussed a motive. Bowers is jailed on $250,000 bond.

Ellie