ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A 41-year-old Asheville woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend and was sentenced to more than 10 years in state prison.
Jessica Barnes Ferland entered the guilty plea in Buncombe County Superior Court before Judge Jacqueline Grant. Grant sentenced Ferland to an active prison term of 125 to 157 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
The charge stems from a shooting that occurred shortly after midnight Oct. 3, 2024, on Laurel Loop in West Asheville. Asheville police responding to reports of gunfire found 26-year-old Jaquan Devaughen Bowen with a gunshot wound to the head. Ferland was at the scene holding paper towels to Bowen’s head in an attempt to stop the bleeding, police said.
Officers provided emergency medical aid before Bowen was transported to Mission Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died the following day.
Investigators said Ferland and Bowen, who were in a relationship, had argued moments before the shooting on Ferland’s porch over a custody dispute involving her children. The dispute centered on an affidavit Bowen had written in support of Ferland’s ex-husband’s custody case, which raised concerns about her parenting.
According to investigators, Ferland retrieved a .22-caliber pistol during the argument and pointed it at Bowen’s head, pulling the trigger. The gun initially dry-fired. When Bowen reacted by shrugging, Ferland pulled the trigger again, and the weapon discharged, striking him in the temple.
Ferland told investigators the shooting was accidental and said she did not intend to kill Bowen, but wanted to intimidate him and convey her emotional distress over losing custody of her children. Authorities said Ferland immediately sought help after the shooting and remained at the scene.
Following Bowen’s death, police upgraded the charge to first-degree murder. Prosecutors later reached a plea agreement for the lesser included charge of second-degree murder after consulting with Bowen’s family.
Under the North Carolina Crime Victims’ Rights Act, Bowen’s family was kept informed throughout the prosecution and agreed with the sentence and resolution of the case.