Jessica Barnes Ferland was sentenced to 10-13 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the October 2024 shooting death of her boyfriend, Jaquan Devaughen Bowen, amid a custody dispute fueled by alcohol.
Shooting Circumstances
On October 3, 2024, Asheville Police responded to Laurel Loop in West Asheville, finding 26-year-old Bowen shot in the temple; Ferland, 41, was applying pressure with towels and called 911. He died the next day at Mission Hospital despite aid. The pair argued on her porch over Bowen’s affidavit supporting her ex-husband’s custody case, criticizing her parenting; she pointed a .22-caliber revolver at his head, dry-fired once (he shrugged), then fired again fatally.
Legal Outcome
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Ferland pleaded guilty February 5, 2026, in Buncombe County Superior Court before Judge Jacqueline Grant, receiving 125-157 months under a deal consulted with Bowen’s family per victims’ rights laws. Post-Miranda, she claimed accident to “intimidate” him over custody grief, believing the antique revolver unloaded; defense echoed this but prosecutors rejected it.
Key Factors
Alcohol consumption preceded the rage; Ferland stayed at scene aiding Bowen, but evidence showed intent via second trigger pull. The plea avoided trial, balancing family input with evidence.​
