An order signed by Marshall County Judge John Madden said the prosecution made numerous inappropriate and erroneous allegations during the trial of Stephen Bowers.

Bowers was convicted in 2003 of several counts of sex abuse against three members of the Glen Dale Little League team he coached. He served five years in prison before his release Tuesday.

Former Prosecutor Herman Lantz said he is “shocked and very disappointed for the victims of the case.”

Lantz said he believed justice was not served and said “the facts of the case stand for themselves.”

“As a prosecutor, it is my job to be fair. I felt I did that. I felt that I always tried to do that in evaluating and prosecuting cases,” Lantz said.

The judge’s order further states that Bowers’ legal representation was ineffective, something defense attorney Fred Gardner admitted.

In a statement to NEWS9, Gardner said, “It was my job to protect my client from the prosecutor’s prejudicial remarks. Apparently, I failed in protecting my client.”

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