Before They Executed Him: A Wife's Story of Death Row

by Shari Bower

What if you were sentenced to death for a crime you didn’t commit? In January 1984, Les Bower found himself in the Grayson County Jail after FBI agents and Texas rangers charged him with four counts of capital murder. With Les’s bond set at $400,000, his only chance was to win his case so he could reunite with his family. Because Les Bower was an innocent man. Desperate for the truth to be known, Les and his wife, Shari, hire a criminal defense lawyer to fight for his freedom. After a five-day trial, including the guilt-innocence phase, Les stands before the court, awaiting his sentencing. Because the defense of Les Bower was totally ineffective. The jury will make this life and death decision in a courtroom filled with balloons, cotton candy and clowns walking around, as the Spring Carnival is taking place on the courtroom lawn, while an Elvis impersonator sings Jailhouse Rock. The jury chose death. After five years on death row, Les is granted a federal hearing appeal when a new team of lawyers working pro bono come onboard to fight for Les’s life. A raw account of Les’s trial and imprisonment, this engrossing story will convince you that Les was wrongfully executed, despite the overwhelming evidence that he was innocent. More than a memoir, Before They Executed Him by Shari Bower is a jarring look at the judicial system and the people who fought tirelessly for thirty-one years to get an innocent man, Les Bower, exonerated with the truth of what happened, but no one would listen. This is the wife’s story.

363 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blessed to have met Shari at a mutual friend's birthday party in the early days of 2020. She was finalizing this memoir, and I was struck by her warm countenance as we conversed on my friend's living room couch. Here was a woman who had lived through what someone could only imagine as hell on earth, and yet possessed such grace, kindness and confidence, with no hint of bitterness.
I was so glad when I later heard from my friends that her book was finally published.
Shari passed from this world and arrived at Heaven's shores on January 14, 2021, finally Home with her Savior and husband. I'm grateful for her bravery in penning her story, and for the gift she left her loved ones and readers.

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly Beautiful story

I was a child when this happened and never knew much about the entire case besides 4 men were murdered. After reading this my heart breaks for a family that was torn apart due to horrible legal counsel. I would have been Shari and thankful for a lawyer to come along because I would have no clue how the justice system worked. Shari and her faith throughout this entire ordeal show the moral character of her and her entire family.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in Sherman and my dad was one of the sheriff's deputies who worked on this case. I always felt like there was more to this case than the public knew. This book written by Lester's wife showed me that other side. It was so good and made me feel what she was going through. Highly recommend reading this.

[Amanda Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

let me be blunt and say that our justice system SUCKS!!! quite heartbreaking and not fair what this lady had to endure. this book was quite close to my heart because it contained people that i personally knew. between the death penalty and abortion rights--TEXAS needs to reevaluate some things.

[Shannon Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband said I bleed blue

And I do I read this because it happened where we live and I have a who!e new perspective about this case.

[Shelley]

An eye-opening journey through the pitfalls of our justice system. This is one man and the family it affected, how many more are out there that we never hear their stories? The corruption I imagine will always be with us, sin is after-all, a part of each one of us. When someone else's sin affects our lives it is a tragedy. Where do we begin in order to make changes in our current system that truly protects the innocent? How can we hold people accountable that are supposed to be protecting the innocent and hold the guilty accountable? So many questions regarding our broken judicial system. I feel the biggest slap in the face is that the lawyer that was first hired by the family and who clearly was not the right lawyer for this case, is now a sitting judge. 2020 has been a revealing year on many aspects of our culture, may we all learn, grow and affect the change that we are able within our circle, no matter how big or how small that circle may be - we can all affect change for the better.

[Marissa Priddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written story of a woman's struggles while her husband was on death row. Very heartfelt and emotional book - I went through a series of feelings from anger, sadness, and some laughing as well. Some details at first I wondered why she was spending time on them when I really just wanted her to get to the story of what happened, but I realized later it all had a purpose.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautiful and sad story. Thank you to Mrs. Bower for sharing her story.