Olmsted County Judge Upholds First-Degree Murder Indictment in Mayo Clinic Dr. Murder Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Olmsted County Judge has upheld a grand jury indictment in a prominent Rochester murder case. 

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33-year-old Connor Fitzgerald Bowman is charged with one count each of first and second-degree murder for the August 2023 death of his wife Dr. Betty Bowman.

The former Mayo Clinic Physician is accused of poisoning his wife with a  lethal dose of the medication used to treat gout at the couple's Rochester home. 

An Olmsted County Grand Jury returned the first-degree murder indictment against the Rochester man in January of 2024. The mandatory sentence for a first-degree murder conviction is life in prison. 

Motion to Dismiss First-Degree Murder Indictment Against Connor Bowman on Grounds of Prosecutorial Misconduct Denied by Olmsted County Judge

Bowman's defense team filed a motion last December seeking to dismiss the grand jury indictment, alleging the state committed prosecutorial misconduct when presenting the case to the Grand Jury. 

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The judge acknowledged prosecutorial misconduct had taken place but determined Bowman “suffered no prejudice and there was no effect on any of Defendant’s substantial rights.”  

The June 1 ruling, which was recently unsealed, is the latest of pretrial rulings in the case. 

Prior Pre Trial Rulings

Last year a motion from the defense to suppress evidence found on a number of electronic devices seized from Bowman's home when investigators executed search warrants in the case was granted. 

Read More: Some Evidence Suppressed in Mayo Clinic Doctor Murder Case 

The suppressed evidence included texts, emails, photos, notes, audio and video files, and media concerning toxic/hazardous/controlled substances, as well as financial matters, divorce, and/or personal relationship information. 

Bowman's defense team lost an earlier bid to suppress evidence that was obtained by investigators through search warrants pertaining to his online activity through the University of Kansas, the results of a Mayo Clinic internal investigation, and records involving Bowman's banking activity and a life insurance policy. 

Prior to coming to Rochester, Bowman was employed by the University of Kansas. 

Read More: Judge Denies Evidence Suppression Request in Mayo Clinic Doctor Murder Case 

Bowman remains in custody at the Olmsted County Jail on $2 million bail. His next court hearing has not yet been scheduled.