Mark Edward Bowser

Through attorney John Barrett, Mark Bowser waived his initial court hearing this morning to have his criminal charges read to him and his rights to legal representation addressed.

Bowser, 56, of North Webster, was arrested Aug. 1 after he allegedly held a sword to a man’s throat threatening to kill him because the man is dating Bowser’s estranged wife. According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Bowser admitted that he presented the sword to intimidate the man. (See related)

Court documents show Bowser’s wife, Tonya, filed for divorce in August 2013. A mediator in that case was appointed in April, but no further action has been taken.

On the night of Mark Bowser’s arrest, he told police he had exchanged “choice words” with the victim and that he did present the sword “to place fear because (the victim) is always smirking and making obscene gestures to him,” according to the probable cause affidavit. Bowser further said the victim is having an affair with his wife.

Bowser was released from the Kosciusko County Jail on a $4,000 surety bond. His next court appearance is sent for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14, with Judge Duane Huffer in Kosciusko Superior Court I.