Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather SportsNews Release from Rowe Family

This is a news release submitted by International Investigations, Consultants and training, Inc on behalf of the Rowe Family.

July 18, 2011

Forest, Ohio

On Friday, July 15, 2011 a court hearing was held in Hardin County Juvenile Court, Judge Rapp presiding. 

I am the Private Investigator who was asked by defense counsel very early in this matter to determine, as closely as possible, the events of 12-7-09 regarding the death of Terence Rowe.

I am a state and federal certified law enforcement instructor and adjunct professor of law enforcement at C.C.C. in Cleveland. I have over 35 years of law enforcement experience.

Our investigation revealed that Terence died of a self inflicted accidental gun shot wound. The weapon was a single action .22 and all of the chambers were loaded. The gun also had been modified so that the normal trigger pull of six pounds was reduced to 2.75 pounds. The gun was evaluated and tested by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification lab.

A caution was stamped on the barrel: "KEEP EMPTY CHAMBER UNDER HAMMER".  A single action weapon can discharge any time the hammer is bumped or struck accidentally. This is exactly the event that caused Terence's death.

Furthermore, the only DNA identified on the weapon (trigger and hammer) was Terence's. No identifiable fingerprints were found on the weapon.  No gunshot residue tests were conducted.   Terence was alone in his second floor bedroom, while S.R. was downstairs in another bedroom. He did not commit suicide; there were no notes, emails, chatter or evidence to indicate a suicide.

There was no delay by the family in calling 911 for help.  E.M.S. reports clearly show that Terence still had a heart beat when they arrived. The E.M.T.s began full advanced life support measures on Terence. 

There were four expert reports submitted in this case.  Three of the four concurred that the event was a self inflicted gun shot wound.  The Hardin County Prosecutor asked the State of Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Identification (B.C.I.) to provide one of the expert reports of the death.  The agent for B.C.I. agreed that this was a self inflicted gun shot.  The fourth expert was hired by the Hardin County prosecutor after the first three reports were submitted showing that the death was caused by a self inflicted gun shot.

There were witnesses who made questionable accusations, insinuated that certain events occurred and embellished too many of their personal beliefs of the events of 12-7-09.

The prosecutor would not nolle the charges.  To protect S.R. from having to endure an unpleasant, emotional trial, the family agreed to a no-contest plea to Obstructing Official Business. In doing so, she did not admit to committing any criminal offense. It should be noted that the defense offered to have her admit to a similar offense six months earlier and this offer was rejected by the prosecution.

S.R. was NOT convicted of any criminal offense as some reporters have indicated in their news story. The reckless homicide and negligent homicide charges were dismissed. With regard to the Obstructing Official Business, she was placed in a diversion program which will continue the counseling for S.R. if the assessment determines she still needs counseling.  In six months, there will be another hearing and the judge can dismiss the case and seal the records.

This was a happy, functional, close knit family and they suffered a tragic loss.  They were not sure how their son died until a proper investigation was conducted.  They deserve the support of the community.  The family is sponsoring local community events to honor Terence and provide scholarships the Future Farmers of America program.