Fifty people rode from Courthouse Square to the Superior Court this morning in support of Steve Norwick. Thank you to everyone who showed up; your support was heart-warming, and made a strong impression.

Norwick remains in a coma after being run down on his bicycle last Friday by Robert Cowart, who has admitted to fleeing the scene.

About 15 of us sat in the courtroom for Cowart's arraignment. We were all surprised when Cowart's name was called and the man who approached the judge's stand could not do so without assistance. Cowart recently had a stroke and his attorney said he's later this week to be checked for aneurism. He clearly had trouble answering the judge's questions without assistance (we couldn't tell if he was confused or if it was difficult for him to hear or speak).

The prosecutor said that Cowart has 3 previous DUIs: 2 in 1989; one in 2005. Cowart's attorney asserted that Cowart has been sober since then.

The prosecutor wanted to increase Cowart's bail $100K; the judge kept the bail at $30K on the conditions that Cowart not drive, not drink alcohol or use drugs not prescribed to him by a doctor.

Cowart's arraignment is postponed until Monday, June 18th. He was wheeled out of the courtroom in a wheelchair.

One thing that is very clear is that Cowart is not fit to drive, and was probably not fit to drive last Friday either.

Even so, everyone who was in the courtroom with us agreed that Cowart's condition adds another layer of sadness to what is already a tragedy.

SCBC will continue to follow the case and keep you up to date.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120613/ARTICLES/120619838/1350?Title=Suspect-in-Penngrove-hit-and-run-crash-in-court