The family of a Santa Cruz priest fatally beaten and stabbed in 1985 is collecting signatures to prevent his killer’s release. Edward Lee Bowman was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life for the killing of 47-year-old Father John Karastamatis, a Greek Orthodox priest. Officials say Karastamatis found Bowman and his wife Anna burglarizing the church. The priest was then stabbed several times and beaten with a fish wacker. Bowman is scheduled for a parole hearing early next month. More information on the family’s petition is available on the Facebook page Justice for Father John Karastamatis.
