Ottawa lawyer James Bowie guilty of threats and harassment

A suspended lawyer from Ottawa, James Bowie, has been found guilty of multiple charges, including threatening to kill one former client and harassing another woman. The Ontario Court ruled against Bowie on all four counts, which included criminal harassment, extortion, and two counts of making death threats. During the trial, Justice Paul Cooper emphasized that the verdicts were based on evidence, not public opinion. Bowie, 41, was accused of tracking and following a woman, and making her feel unsafe with his persistent behavior. The woman, referred to as a victim under a publication ban, testified about his actions. Bowie's defense lawyer argued that although his behavior was unflattering, it did not constitute a crime. However, the Crown attorney asserted that Bowie's actions were indeed criminal and had a significant impact on the victims' lives. One of the former clients, Leanne Aubin, reported that Bowie had offered her legal services in exchange for sexual favors. The Crown later dropped an extortion charge related to her. In court, Bowie admitted to tracking the unnamed woman with a GPS device but denied that his actions were threatening. He claimed that she was not genuinely afraid of him and argued that any discomfort she felt was not reasonable. Meanwhile, the Crown contended that her fear was valid and highlighted Bowie's attempts to attack the character of those who testified against him. The trial is set to continue with victim impact statements expected to be heard soon. The case has drawn attention not just for its serious allegations but also for the dramatic claims made during the proceedings.