Buncombe County Woman Pleads Guilty to 2nd-Degree Murder
By Marge | Published 2026-02-07T18:08:29.196Z
News
Michael Ferland pleads guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Jaquan Bowen, avoiding a trial. The plea agreement outlines the potential sentencing
Buncombe County -- February 7, 2026: Jessica Barnes Ferland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jaquan Bowen in Western North Carolina. The plea agreement avoids a trial and outlines the potential sentencing Ferland faces, bringing the legal process closer to conclusion for Bowen's family.The shooting occurred on October 3, 2024, at approximately 12:34 a.m. on Laurel Loop in West Asheville, North Carolina. Ferland, 41, and Bowen, 26, were in a relationship and argued