MILLERSBURG — While the defense claimed it was an “alcohol-fueled tragedy,” Judge Robert Rinfret paused several times, holding back his own emotion, as his imposed a maximum 11-year prison sentence for Bobbi Amos-Camacho, who, on Wednesday, admitted to killing Jimmy Rowe Jr. in November.
Rowe, 42, of 7542 County Road 22, Loudonville, was pronounced dead late on Nov. 12 after being stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife in his home. His girlfriend, Bobbi Amos-Camacho, 43, of the same address, was arrested the following morning after making admissions consistent with the charge of murder.
She was indicted for murder, which carried a potential penalty of 15 years-life in prison, but rather than taking the case to trial, Amos-Camacho entered…show more content… A plea for mercy
Advocating for Amos-Camacho, defense attorney John Johnson Jr. referred to the death of Rowe as an “alcohol-fueled tragedy” that culminated in the loss of a son, father and brother “when Jimmy Rowe lost his life.
The facts of the case do not reflect that “Bobbi Amos loved Jimmy Rowe. She loves him still,” Johnson said, adding, “She is going to have to live with the knowledge she caused his death for the rest of her life.”
He suggested it wasn't the worst form of the offense and presented to Rinfret photos taken of Amos-Camacho showing injuries to her neck, arms and legs, which she claims were caused by Rowe.
“You have to realize that this was not a one-sided affair, a one-sided attack, noting it was a very intimate offense and “They had to be close … face to face.”
He asked Rinfret to consider what she did in the immediate wake of the incident. “She didn't run away. She didn't try to escape. She tried to help. She called 9-1-1. She tried to keep him calm. And, she applied pressure to stop bleeding. She was still trying to provide aid when the squad…show more content… “Bobbi Amos sits here today taking responsibility for what happened to that man. She is shouldering the weight of the responsibility. That's no indicative of someone guilty of the worst form of the offense.
Johnson asked Rinfret to “search your heart and use all of your years of experience to fashion a just sentence in this case. Justice for Jimmy, but justice for Bobbi also.”
For her part, Amos-Camacho simply said she was sorry and “I just wish it wouldn't have happened.”
