Hiawatha man’s trial on hold to determine mental competence

The trial for a 19-year-old Hiawatha man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl in November 2014 has been suspended by a judge to determine the man's competency to stand trial.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Sean McPartland in his order said there was probable cause that Taylor R. Bowles has a mental disorder that would prevent him from understanding and assisting in his defense.

Todd Weimer, Bowles attorney, filed a motion to determine competency last month, stating based on his conversations with Bowles he didn't think Bowles could understand pleas or make other decisions to assist in his defense.

McPartland said in his order that Bowles told his attorney he has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and possibly other psychological issues.

McPartland suspended and removed the pre-trial hearing and trial from the docket set for next month. Bowles will have psychiatric evaluation at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville.

Bowles is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and second-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of breaking into a Hiawatha neighbor's home through a front window Nov. 26, 2014 and sexually abusing the 7-year-old girl. According to a criminal complaint, Bowles didn't let the girl leave. He picked her up and put her back on the bed when she tried to escape.

According to a search warrant affidavit, the 7-year-old told a forensic interviewer the man entered her room, removed her clothes and attacked her. She provided details of the abuse and described the man and what he was wearing.

Investigators also used boot prints left in the snow to help them identify Bowles as a suspect, according to the affidavit.