BY JIM HALEY

Herald Writer

A former Mukilteo businessman told a judge Tuesday he failed himself and his family when he was under intense financial pressure and tried to kill an associate last May 6.

“I feel like a total failure. I let you all down,” said Gary Ronald Bowers, 64.

He asked Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Ellen Fair for leniency in sentencing him to prison for attempted murder. The judge imposed a more-lenient sentence than that sought by the deputy prosecutor, but one tougher than what the defense wanted.

Bowers was given a 19 1/2-year prison term, one that will keep him behind bars until he’s about 81. He was convicted by a jury last month of attempted first-degree murder after he plotted for weeks how to kill real estate developer partner Gary Werner, 49, of Granite Falls.

In trial, Bowers conceded he’s guilty of assault, but argued he shouldn’t be convicted of attempted murder.

Deputy prosecutor Helene Blume asked the judge to sentence Bowers to the top end of the sentencing range, 22 years. The reason for the high end, she argued, was there was “so much premeditation in this case; much more than in an ordinary case.”

Defense lawyer Lennard Nhajski of Seattle told the judge that Bowers should get the low end of the range, 17 years, partly because of his age and that he wouldn’t be a danger to the community by the time he gets out.

Under the law, Bowers will have to serve two years because he used deadly weapons, a knife and a heavy metal tool. He could get out in about 17 years if he gets time off for good behavior.

Werner addressed the court, saying he forgives Bowers, who lured him to property they owned near Granite Falls and struck him in the head with the tool.

“I’m speaking to Gary from my heart,” Werner said. “I’d like to let Gary know I forgive him like a brother.”

He said many of his friends and family abandoned Bowers, and he’d like to maintain contact with his longtime friend and business associate.

“This is a time he needs people in his life,” Werner said.

Under questioning by the judge, Werner conceded he wouldn’t feel safe if Bowers was let out of prison, however.

In a secretly taped interview, Bowers told Werner that he had an elaborate scheme to kill him, bury his body near Green Mountain east of Granite Falls and then drive his truck to a cabin Werner owns in the Monte Cristo area. His plan then was to drive to Eastern Washington to form an alibi.

The plan failed when the blow caused serious damage to Werner, but didn’t incapacitate him. Instead, Werner got the best of his partner, holding him at bay with his pistol until police arrived.

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.