Crime
Judge Grants Probation to Eric Rowe After Conviction in Violent Domestic Assault Caught on Camera
MARSHFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri judge has placed a man convicted of felony domestic assault and child endangerment on probation rather than sending him to prison, a decision that has sparked public outrage and prompted the victim’s family to demand a formal review of the case.
On December 3, Judge Chuck Replogle sentenced Eric “Jordan” Rowe following his convictions for Domestic Assault in the Third Degree (Felony E) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
The court imposed a three-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the felony count and 12 months in county jail for the misdemeanor. However, both sentences were fully suspended, and Rowe was instead placed on five years of supervised probation.
The sentencing follows the release of disturbing home surveillance video that captured Rowe violently attacking his wife inside their home while their toddler stood nearby.
The footage shows Rowe grabbing the victim by the head and throat, slamming her to the ground, strangling her, and continuing the assault as she repeatedly cries out, “You’re hurting the baby.”
According to court records, Rowe fled the scene before police arrived, refused to turn himself in, and later deleted portions of the surveillance footage.
His father was also charged in connection with the case for allegedly attempting to influence the victim during the investigation.
The video was ultimately released to the public by the victim’s sister, Shelby Leigh, who says she has since received threats from members of Rowe’s family for speaking out.
The family is now formally requesting a review of the sentencing decision, arguing that probation does not reflect the severity of the violence.
At the sentencing hearing, the victim, Haleigh Rowe, delivered a deeply emotional and detailed victim impact statement in open court, describing years of physical abuse, psychological manipulation, coercive control, and terror inside the family home. Portions of the assault video were also played for the court during that hearing.
Haleigh stated that the November 3 attack, which led to the current charges, was only one incident in a long pattern of violence that included:
- A fractured nose in 2020, captured on a Ring camera that Rowe later deleted
- A second assault in 2021 on the eve of her return to a professional career
- Repeated lockouts from the home and bedroom, sometimes while children watched and cried
- Threats, surveillance, intimidation, and unauthorized tracking
- Violations of a no-contact order within days of Rowe’s release from jail
- Ongoing harassment through digital platforms and anonymous communications
She also detailed Rowe’s alleged treatment of their nonverbal, special-needs child, including incidents where the child was placed at physical risk during acts of violence.
Haleigh told the court she suffers from depression, nightmares, hypervigilance, and fear, has lost financial stability and health insurance following Rowe’s arrest and job loss, and has spent thousands of dollars on legal fees.
She stated that marital funds were used for Rowe’s criminal defense, bond, and GPS monitoring.
She further informed the court that multiple felony charges originally filed against Rowe and his father were reduced without her consent, ultimately resulting in the two current convictions.
“I do not seek bitterness,” she said in closing. “I seek safety.”
The victim’s family argues that probation and anger management have already failed, citing that Rowe had previously assaulted his first wife while attending therapy and church.
They contend that the court’s decision places both Haleigh and the children at continued risk and fails to hold the offender fully accountable.
The family is now calling on judicial authorities to review the sentencing outcome, reinstate stricter protections, and reconsider incarceration based on the totality of the evidence.
The case remains a focal point of public concern in the Marshfield community as advocates continue to highlight the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of judicial accountability in violent crime cases.
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a 26-year-old survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, died by suicide on December 15, according to a statement shared by his family.
Metayer had endured significant mental health challenges for several years following the traumatic attack that claimed the lives of 17 people.
Metayer was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the time of the February 14, 2018 shooting.
His family said the trauma of that day, coupled with the loss of classmates and the long-term psychological effects of the event, profoundly altered the trajectory of his life.
In the years that followed, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggled with depression, survivor’s guilt, emotional instability, and extended periods of isolation.
Despite these challenges, Metayer remained deeply loved by his family, who described him as intelligent, humorous, and compassionate. He underwent years of treatment that included therapy, psychiatric care, medication, and multiple hospitalizations related to suicidal ideation.
His sister, who shared the news of his death publicly, said he fought a seven-year battle with mental illness.
In recent years, Metayer made notable efforts to rebuild his life. He earned an information technology certification, secured employment at Office Depot, and received ongoing care through the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic and a private psychiatrist.
His family said these steps reflected his determination to move forward despite persistent struggles.
Following a mental health crisis in 2021, Metayer was legally prohibited from purchasing a firearm under a Risk Protection Order.
That order expired earlier this month.
According to his family, within days of the order lapsing, he legally obtained a handgun and died by suicide at his home.
In the wake of his death, Metayer’s family has established a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and to create a fund in his name at the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic.
The fund is intended to support individuals facing behavioral health challenges and to improve access to mental health care in Florida.
His family said they hope his story serves as a reminder of the long-term effects of trauma and the urgent need for sustained mental health support, particularly for survivors of mass violence.
Those close to Metayer emphasized that his life mattered and that his death underscores the ongoing mental health crisis affecting young people across the country.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or thoughts of suicide, help is available.
In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.