Psychological evaluation prompts plea deal in New Kent court

Todd Michael Bowers

A North Carolina man who led a New Kent deputy sheriff on a New Year’s Eve high-speed chase through the county on Interstate 64 has pleaded guilty in New Kent General District Court to a felony count of eluding police along with three misdemeanors.

A preliminary hearing in the case of Todd Michael Bowers, 43, had been scheduled for Feb. 24 in general district court. When proceedings commenced, however, a court-ordered psychological evaluation of the defendant changed matters.

Commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory said the report revealed the Weeksville, N.C. man suffers from a “delusional disorder.” The diagnosis qualified the defendant for entering an insanity plea had the case proceeded to trial in circuit court. Defense attorney Richard Collins waived preliminary hearing and a plea agreement ensued, Gregory said.

Under terms of the plea deal, Bowers pleaded guilty to eluding police along with driving while intoxicated (second offense), drug paraphernalia possession, and no driver’s license. Charges of felony and misdemeanor controlled substance possession, refusal to take a blood/breath test, and reckless driving (speeding in excess of 80 miles per hour) were dropped.

Bowers received 12 months in jail with eight months suspended on the DWI charge, 12 months with all suspended on the paraphernalia possession count, and six months, all suspended, for eluding. Another six months, all suspended, were imposed on the no license conviction. The suspended time hangs over Bowers’ head for the next five years.

The defendant was also fined $50 on the no license count. Fines of $30 each were levied for two traffic violations — failure to have current vehicle inspection and tinted windows in excess of state law.

The Dec. 31 pursuit began near the 218-mile marker on westbound I-64 when Deputy Ryan Shobe clocked Bowers’ vehicle on radar at 104 miles per hour. The chase continued into Henrico County before ending on property owned by Richmond International Airport where the defendant was taken into custody.

Bowers has been held in Henrico Jail East since his arrest. In court, he was given credit for time already served.