Polygraph test planned in shooting case

The man will be back in court in June.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Prosecutors and defense lawyers are looking to technology to help determine what took place at a city home where a teen boy was shot for tampering with a political sign.

Kenneth Rowles appeared before Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.

According to court personnel, Rowles has stipulated to taking a polygraph test before returning to court in June.

It is unclear exactly what questions will be asked in the polygraph session. Prosecuting attorney Chris Becker could not be reached to comment Tuesday afternoon.

Rowles was indicted on a felonious-assault charge in December.

Rowles, 50, of Dover Street, called township police to his home in October 2008 to tell them about two young men who damaged his “McCain for President” sign, but he didn’t mention having fired his rifle.

He also asked the officer, Patrolman Daniel Peterson, if Peterson knew anything about a new Ohio law that allows a homeowner to protect his property.

About 11 a.m. the next day, the mother of one of the boys called police to say that her 17-year-old nephew had been hit in the arm by a bullet and that her GMC SUV had been hit by two other bullets.

Rowles told police he had fired three “warning shots” but never pointed the rifle at the boys and that he had been the victim of a previous sign vandalism.

The boys said they were heading home after a haircut, and the 16-year-old driver of the SUV said he was “joking and playing” and kicked the sign over while Rowles was sitting on his front porch.

The boys said Rowles fired a shot that hit the vehicle on the passenger side.

The shot passed through the vehicle and broke out the window on the passenger and driver’s sides.

The 17-year-old passenger was treated at a local hospital for the gunshot wound.

If Rowles is convicted of the charge, he could get up to eight years in prison.