Authorities Keep Eye On Murder Suspect's Assault Trial

NEW PORT RICHEY - Prosecutors will look to strengthen their murder case against Lawrence Tener when the 25-year-old goes to trial Wednesday on an unrelated aggravated battery charge.

Tener is accused of using an ax handle to attack Joanna Herman, a New York woman who was visiting relatives when she was beaten Dec. 11, 2004.

Seven days after Herman was beaten, investigators found the body of 43-year-old Tammy Lee Bowles buried on Tener's property at 10222 Linwood St. Bowles, a mother of four, had been missing for about six weeks.

Authorities contend Tener used the same fiberglass ax handle to commit both crimes.

Tener is charged with first-degree murder in Bowles' death, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The murder case does not have a trial date.

Attorneys in the aggravated battery case selected a jury Monday. Opening statements will be heard Wednesday morning followed by testimony. Tener faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison in that case.

If he is found guilty, prosecutors can use the conviction to bolster their contention that Tener deserves the death penalty should a jury find him guilty of Bowles' slaying.

According to a search warrant affidavit, Tener and a friend met Herman at The Edge Bar the day she was beaten.

They went to Tener's mobile home, where Herman and the friend had sex. Tener left the home for a short time, but when he returned began to 'flip out,' striking Herman on the head and face with the ax handle, according to court documents.

Tener's friend told investigators Tener acknowledged that he had a role in Bowles' death after she tried to steal marijuana from him. Tener and Bowles also met at The Edge Bar, and wound up at Tener's mobile home, authorities have said.

An autopsy report showed Bowles was struck on the head at least twice and died of blunt force trauma.