FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: MAY 24, 2017
RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES: SAUGERTIES SHOOTER SENTENCED TO 24 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON
Karon Bowden, 42, formerly of Brooklyn, was sentenced Wednesday, May 24, 2017 to 24 years to life in state prison for the May 31, 2016 murder of his girlfriend, Amy Louise Burger. She was 24 years old at the time of her death. The case was investigated by the Saugerties Police Department who were assisted in their investigation of this matter by members of the New York State Police, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingston Police Department and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.
At sentencing the victim’s mother spoke of Amy’s success, calling her a “rising star”. She also recounted the loss to her and all of Amy’s family and friends, many of whom were present in court. Not only have her loved ones endured the pain of losing Amy, but have also lost the memories that we will never be made and dreams for the future that can longer include Amy.
Special Victims Bureau Chief of the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, Katherine R. Van Loan, reiterated that her office had requested the Court accept the defendant’s guilty plea understanding that he would not receive the maximum sentence because the victim’s family wanted to be spared the “trauma and public spectacle” that a trial would bring. Despite the fact the defendant lied in his pre-sentence report claiming that the shooting was accidental, Van Loan stated that the District Attorney’s Office was not asking that the defendant be permitted to withdraw his plea of guilty. Rather, she asked the court to consider the defendant’s disrespect for the legal process in rending the proper sentence.
The defendant attempted to apologize to Amy’s Family and friends, stating that he didn’t mean to hurt Amy, but under questing by the court admitted that he put a gun to Amy’s head and pulled the trigger intending to cause her death. The defendant declined the court’s offer to read out loud some of the things the defendant said about the murder to another inmate at the Ulster County Jail. After being placed under oath and potentially facing perjury charges that could draw additional prison time consecutive to the murder sentence, the defendant conceded that the gun did not go off “while he was trying to disarm the victim” but instead that it was a “lie” he told to the Ulster County Probation Department during his interview for the Pre-Sentence Report.
Ulster County District Attorney, Holley Carnright stated, “The investigation revealed that the victim was attempting to leave the defendant. It is important for the public to understand how dangerous it can be for victims to break free from the cycle of domestic violence. It is often inconceivable to loved ones and to the community how volatile relationships plagued by the power and control inherent in domestic violence can be. As a community we need to be vigilant in looking for situations and be willing to step in when necessary and appropriate.”
An Order of Protection was issued in favor of the victim's immediate family until May 24, 2072, should he ever be released.
The defendant was represented by Daniel Gaffney, Esq. of Kingston, New York.