Edward Cowart

Edward Douglas Cowart was an American judge who served as a Dade County Circuit Court Judge. He most notably presided over Ted Bundy's Chi Omega trial in 1979.

Early life and education

Edward Douglas Cowart was born in Plant City, Florida. He served as a Miami police officer before entering the judiciary. Cowart received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Miami in 1950 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson [University College of Law] in 1952. He sat on the bench for 14 years, where he was known for frequent biblical quotations in the courtroom.

Bundy trial

Cowart is best known as the presiding judge at the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy, a one-time law student who was arrested for a series of murders from at least 1974 to 1978 and who represented himself in court. Cowart imposed a death sentence, and is remembered for his sympathetic post-sentencing remarks to Bundy:

Death

Cowart died of a heart attack at the age of 62. Bundy was executed two years later in 1989 after failing in numerous appeals to Cowart and the Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn his sentence or be granted a new trial.