St. Gabriel Man To Serve Life Term For 1990 Rape-Murder

Tolbert Morris was sentenced by state District Judge Ralph Tureau on Tuesday to two consecutive life terms plus 30 years without the benefit of probation or parole for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Dutchtown resident Tammy Lanie Bowers in March 1990.

The Advocate reports Morris received life sentences for both the aggravated rape and second-degree murder convictions, plus an additional 30 years for being found guilty of second-degree kidnapping.

A 12-member jury convicted Morris on Sept. 13 of abducting Bowers from a Dutchtown convenience store on March 6, 1990, then raping and murdering her along River Road. Bowers' body was discovered on March 8, 1990, on what would have been her 19th birthday.