Edgar Bowser, who received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Boston University’s Prison Education Program, is up for parole for the fifth time for killing a police officer in 1975 when he was 16.
In his last attempt to gain parole in December of 2000, Chancellor John Silber testified on his behalf after corresponding with Bowser for a number of years, according to reports from The Daily Free Press.
‘He did make a very strong effort on behalf of Edgar Bowser,’ said BU spokesman Kevin Carleton.
Silber did not attend Bowser’s Oct. 1 parole hearing, but his previous testimony carried over to this hearing, which should result in a decision by Oct 14.
‘His support for Bowser has not diminished,’ Carleton said. ‘The statements he has made stand on their merits.’
The Prison Education Program has helped 226 individuals earn BU degrees, according to program director Robert Cadigan, an associate professor of criminal justice and sociology.
The program, which is entirely funded by BU, began in 1972 and has its largest class ever this year with 144 students, Cadigan said.
It operates in three separate medium security prisons: the Massachusetts correctional institutes at Norfolk and Framingham and the Bay State Correctional Center.
‘We have had people in the past that have worked to transfer to these institutions to get into the programs,’ Cadigan said.
Carleton said the program helps inmates, but the real change has to come from within.
‘There are people who succeed, who develop, who grow, with or without such programs,’ he said. ‘I don’t want the program to take credit for what [Bowser] had in him to grow and to mature and to change. I think the program helped him. I don’t want to say it was causal.
‘I don’t want to take anything away from the program, but I also don’t want to take anything away from the individual,’ Carleton added.
Bowser admitted to killing officer James Lonchiadis in Shrewsbury, Mass. in 1975 and was convicted of second degree murder in 1978 after spending three years as a fugitive, according to the Worcester district attorney’s website.
Lonchiadis reportedly begged for his life before Bowser killed him, and his family is one of the strongest advocates against Bowser’s parole.
‘They feel that he should be released when their father walks out of his grave,’ said Shrewsbury Police Chief Wayne Sampson. ‘It’s very emotional for the family this is the fifth time they’ve been down there. They feel they continue to be victimized.’
Sampson said he believes Bowser has lied to parole officials and should not be released.
‘We believe the nature of the crime was intentional,’ Sampson said. ‘We believe Mr. Bowser has consistently lied to the parole board in various hearings and does not warrant release.
‘[Lonchiadis’] mother is the strongest advocate of the entire family to keep [Bowser] in prison,’ he added. ‘She’s not a bitter woman. She’s a sensitive woman who lost her child. She continues to feel the pain of his loss today.’
Lonchiadis’ mother continues to endure the pain of her loss everyday, Sampson said.
‘Unfortunately, she lives in an elderly high rise in the city of Worcester which just happens to look down on the motel where her son was killed,’ Sampson said. ‘Everyday she looks down on it.’
The Worcester District Attorney’s office was not able to comment on the case, as it is still pending. A decision on whether or not Bowser will be paroled is expected within two weeks of the hearing. Officials at the Massachusetts Parole Board could not be reached for comment.