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Questions surround Fayette County DA’s handling of son’s DUI charges

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Questions surround how the Fayette County District Attorney handled his son’s DUI charges. Both the special prosecutor and an unbiased attorney Channel 11 talked with shared the same opinion: there’s nothing to indicate he got a sweetheart deal.

“This was fair. This serves the interest of justice and nothing special. Even though I’m the special prosecutor, nothing was special in this case,” said Sam Davis.

Locals speculated Rich Bower Jr. was getting preferential treatment after his charges were dropped. His father recused himself from the case and Davis was brought in.

“I wanted to treat this young man as I would any other defendant, no better and certainly no worse,” Davis said.

Bower Jr. was involved in a DUI crash in August. Police said he crashed into another driver on Route 119 after crossing over the median. There were only minor injuries from the crash but Bower Jr.’s BAC was said to be more than double the legal limit.

“You should not be punished because you’re the son or daughter of someone that’s in politics or somebody that’s high profile, and quite frankly I think if this was you or me or anyone else and they have competent counsel, this is what a defense lawyer does. It’s extremely consistent and I don’t think it’s suspicious in the very least,” said attorney Phil DiLucente.

DiLucente has no connection to the case. He looked over the court documents and said there is nothing unusual.