Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Girlfriend With Baseball Bat

BIRMINGHAM, AL — It took a Jefferson County jury less than an hour to convict the suspect in one of last year's high-profile homicide cases in the state. Jon Bowden, 42, was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Terri Miller. He faces life in prison.

Bowden claimed self-defense in the killing and sought a lesser charge of heat of passion manslaughter, in the bludgeoning of Miller with a baseball bat.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Roberts and Deputy District Attorney Shawn Allen prosecuted the case. Jefferson County deputy public defenders Blair Shores and Tana Flaten represented Bowden.

Miller's body was discovered Sunday, March 18, 2018, when a family member became concerned after not hearing from her and went to do a welfare check. That family member then flagged down a Gardendale police officer outside of Miller's home in the 400 block of Greenwood Avenue, according to an Alabama Media Group report.

Miller had three daughters, ages 14, 12 and 10.

Bowden had multiple prior arrests including theft, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and loitering. He was convicted in 2006 of attempted drug trafficking and received a 10-year suspended sentence. In 2009, he again was convicted of a felony – first-degree theft of property – and again received a 10-year suspended sentence.

His sentencing on the murder conviction is set for Aug. 26. He faces the possibility of life without parole under Alabama’s Habitual Offender Law.