The bus driver attacker is sure getting media attention

Pam Thompson

A judge released Bowman from custody Thursday pending his trial. As he left the jail Thursday morning, he covered his face, while the person with him said they had no comment.
Thompson said she asked the judge at a preliminary hearing last month to keep Bowman behind bars.
"I was hoping he would go straight from the arrest to trial to jail," she told Fox 12 on Thursday.
Talking about the attack
Thompson said the night she was attacked, Bowman got on the bus and did a "typical fare evading tactic" of shuffling his hand around in his pocket looking for money. He put $2 in the fare collector and sat down.




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TriMet driver talks about release of her attack suspect - KPTV - FOX 12 Brutally attacked bus driver forgives, but wants justice | Local & Regional | KATU.com - Portland News, Sports, Traffic Weather and Breaking News - Portland, Oregon

 

Daemon Bowman leaving jail Thursday

 

Pamela Thompson

 

Pamela Thompson

 

Daemon Bowman, booking photo

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) - A man accused of attacking a TriMet bus driver over an apparent fare dispute has been released from jail, and for the first time, the driver is talking about what happened to her that night in north Portland.

Who's in the news for all the wrong reasons this week? Take a look at our mug shot slideshow.

Pamela Thompson's black eye has healed, as has some of the bruising, but she said the release of Daemon Bowman before he faces trial was an unexpected blow. Police said Thompson was attacked while driving the Line 4 TriMet bus near North Richmond and Syracuse Street Dec. 12. The suspect initially got away and police released a surveillance image the following morning in hopes of tracking him down. On Dec. 13, a Transit Police Division officer spotted a man at North Fessenden Street and Charleston Avenue who looked like the suspect. That man was stopped, identified as Bowman, and arrested. Bowman, 39, is charged with assault, interfering with public transportation and criminal mischief. He pleaded not guilty and is set to face trial on Feb. 5. A judge released Bowman from custody Thursday pending his trial. As he left the jail Thursday morning, he covered his face, while the person with him said they had no comment. Thompson said she asked the judge at a preliminary hearing last month to keep Bowman behind bars. "I was hoping he would go straight from the arrest to trial to jail," she told Fox 12 on Thursday. Talking about the attack Thompson said the night she was attacked, Bowman got on the bus and did a "typical fare evading tactic" of shuffling his hand around in his pocket looking for money. He put $2 in the fare collector and sat down. The cost to ride the bus is $2.50. "I just kept driving," she said. "I was close to the end of the line and that is the TriMet way, but I didn't give him a transfer." She said at the end of the route, Bowman demanded a transfer ticket. When she refused, she said he pulled out a wad of money, including $20 bills and $1 bills. When she asked for a $1 bill to cover the remainder of his fare, Thompson said he told her, "then I would be overpaying." Thompson said Bowman claimed he would not leave the bus until a supervisor was called to the scene to issue him a transfer. Thompson said she was getting off the bus and he needed to be gone when she got back. "He didn't like that for an answer," she said. "So, he jumped up and grabbed me and turned me around and threw me behind the driver's seat and pinned me between the driver's box and the driver's seat and proceeded to pound my head 15 times." Thompson said she screamed for him to stop hitting her and tried to kick him. They both ended up outside the bus and she said he threw her to the ground, then threw her cell phone toward her head, before taking off. Driver safety Thompson said she forgives Bowman, but still believes he needs to be punished. She worries, however, the punishment won't be enough in this case. "Justice needs to be served," she said. "Not just for me, but for all my other operators. It needs to be seen in the city of Portland, not to mess with (bus drivers)." She said she's planning to write the governor to request funding to improve security for all drivers. She also believes an automatic five-year sentence needs to be implemented for anyone convicted of assaulting a driver. "Just as I have consequences in my life for the poor decisions I make, it should be no different for him," she said. Bowman was fitted with an ankle monitor pending the outcome of the case.
By Matt Johnson, KATU News Jan 2, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The bus driver allegedly beaten by a passenger last month wants justice.

Pamela Thompson was attacked on Dec. 12, 2013 when her Line 4 bus was stopped at North Richmond Avenue and North Syracuse Street.

Police say Daemon Bowman punched Thompson in the head several times and threw her phone when she tried calling for help.

"He came up and he grabbed me and threw me down near the drivers' seat and proceeded to bash my head in about fifteen times," Pamela Thompson said.

Thompson says she has nightmares and thought she was going to die.

"I thought here is my moment, and I just pleaded to stop hitting me," Thompson said.

Bowman was released from jail Thursday morning under special court supervision and will be monitored 24/7. Thompson says the judge presiding over the case told her Bowman would receive a maximum sentence of 60 days.

"That doesn't seem right. I do offer him forgiveness, but I also want justice," Thompson said.

Bowman is set to be back in court on Feb. 5. At the sentencing TriMet drivers and Amalgamated Transit Union workers will present the judge with a petition asking for a harsher sentence.