The Bowen Turner case in South Carolina has been one for the outrage records. Listeners across the country have been horrified as they watched the justice system coddle Bowen over and over while the thrice-accused rapist gave his second, third and fourth chances the middle finger. But now, something good could come from the case — a case that included the horrific bullying of Dallas Stoller, one of his accusers. Bullying that resulted in her death. 

Something good might come from Bowen’s 2022 sham of a plea deal hearing — orchestrated by a cunning lawyer-legislator, executed by a prosecutor blinded by ambition and approved by a Good Ole Boy judge. Change might be coming because of an appeal filed by another one of Bowen’s accusers, Chloe Bess.

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a look at the historic filing and what went down during oral arguments in front of the state Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The state’s victims bill of rights affords victims the opportunity to be heard in court. In trials, victims can testify before a verdict is rendered — before a potential conviction. But in plea deals they’ve been restricted to being heard only after the judge has accepted the pleading — only AFTER the conviction. Chloe Bess and her legal team are trying to change that … to finally make victims’ rights MEANINGFUL.

Episode Resources

SC Court of Appeals Broadcast Link

SC Victims’ Constitutional Rights

Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️

Join Luna Shark Premium today at Lunashark.Supercast.com. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE.

If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

What We're Buying...

Hungry Root - https://hungryroot.com/mandy to get 40% off your first delivery and get your free veggies.. Hungry Root is the easiest way to eat healthy. They send you fresh, high-quality groceries, simple, delicious recipes, and essential supplements.

Task Rabbit - Use promo code "mandy" at https://www.taskrabbit.com/ for 15% off your task. Task Rabbit connects you with skilled Taskers to help with cleaning, moving, furniture assembly, home repairs, and more.

Here's a link to some of our favorite things: https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn And a special thank you to our other amazing sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer!

*** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email [email protected] and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! ***

For current & accurate updates:

TrueSunlight.com

facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/

Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod

Twitter.com/mandymatney

Twitter.com/elizfarrell

youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia

tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices