Murder Suspect Arrested

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UPDATE: May 12, 2008 -- 3:14pm

Bohanan Arrested in Chicago.

Offical Police News Release:

At approximately 1:30 p.m. this afternoon members of the U.S. Marshal's Service, the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Chicago Police Department's Fugitive Squad apprehended James P. Bohanan, age 35.

Mr. Bohanan was taken without incident after being found inside a Chicago residence. His location came thanks to a recent tip to Madison Police Department Detectives. Two Madison Police Detectives are now on their way to Chicago to work in conjunction with those who made the arrest.

Mr. Bohanan had eluded capture since last summer following the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Kevin Cobbins. Cobbins, of Waunakee, was gunned down in the driveway of a duplex on Loreen Drive on July 28, 2007. As a result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department Mr. Bohanan was developed as a suspect and he has been wanted on a warrant for First Degree Intentional Homicide.

The Madison Police Department has spent many months working long hours with the personnel from the U.S. Marshal's Service, the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Chicago Police Department. Mr. Bohanan's arrest is testament to the strong, ongoing partnership between these law enforcement agencies.

The Madison Police Department would like to thank these agencies, and those Madison residents who called Crime Stoppers over the past year providing information on Mr. Bohanan's possible whereabouts

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Posted Thursday ---- November 1, 2007 -- 5:01pm

A man wanted for murder in Madison is now in the national spotlight.

James Bohanan is wanted on a charge of 1st degree murder in the July death of 26 year old Kevin Cobbins on Loreen Drive.

The hunt for Bohanan has now made America's Most Wanted list.

Investigators believe Bohanan still has contact with people in Madison.

They say there may be someone in our community who could help catch him.

The US Marshals Service is offering a $2,500 reward leading to Bohanan's arrest.

Madison Crime Stoppers is offering up an additional $1,000.

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Posted by: anonymous Location: chicago on Jun 19, 2008 at 04:55 PM
I read all of these stories and I don't really care about the racisim in Madison. I'm sorry for his daughter not having a father to grow up with, but don't make it seem like Bo was this brutal bad guy, it's two sides to a story, right. Now nothing was said negative about Cobbins, but he was this perfect Dad. So was Bo, he ALWAYS have his kids, and love being around other kids and he was a people's person and everyone loved him. I'm sure he wouldn't of commited a crime like that because he's always talking about his kids how important they are to him. I haven't read any postive things about Bo, remember he is the accused murderer. Don't past judgements off any one if you wasn't there. I hope u find the right guy. NOT GUILTY

Posted by: Angie Location: Madison on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:42 PM
For those of you who have posted all the ignorant blogs are here, maybe u want to re think the the situation! I am the mother of Cobbins only child! Raising her without him has n will be a challenge FOREVER! He was a great man and father and he definitly did not deserve to go, especially in such a brutal way! So I hope "BO" gets the worst of the worst as well as anyone else who could take a persons life with no remorse and just leave like nothing happened. Nobody knows the way that those who cared for Kevin feel. Now Bo's kids do not have a father either, but he was not thinking about that when he decided to take the life of my daughters father. He deserves the WORST! and so does everyone else who had anything to do with it! they know who they are!

Posted by: General on May 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Way to go MPD!! You were able to get your man. With your description and the evidence you collected you able to make a case. Then (and only then) you were able to enlist the help of other law enforcement agencies. Stay in Chicago Sargeant you are absolutely wrong.

Posted by: Joe Momma Location: Flint Michigan on May 13, 2008 at 11:17 PM
There is no such thing as a race card! how come people call it a race card? Its the truth card like another blog participant stated! no one wants to face the truth! If the guy killed someone black or white he needs to be punished! However there are so many issues in this country that need light shed on them pertaining to racial injustice its not even funny! Lets just hope this man gets a fare trial considering the Madison Police are in need of publicity right now! Lets hope they dont make an example out of him rather than lets hope this man is tried in a fair manner!

Posted by: Sergeant Location: Chicago on May 13, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Those of you who have posted that the Madison Police Deserve No Credit for this are excactly right! I am a ex madison native who now resides in Chicago! Your Police are a joke and that is why crimes are not solved! These cops here get it done and done right! Mr. Cobbins would have been on the run for the rest of his life if it were not for the Chicago Police and the US MARSHALS SERVICE!

Posted by: B Location: MADISON on May 13, 2008 at 04:24 PM
It is because they knew who killed Cobbins, they don't know who killed Zimmerman or Marino, or Nolan. It is always a race issue. Most of the time I experience racism is reverse racism, a black person being prejudice to a white person. That is why Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson are such jokes, they try to put the blacks against the whites. Martin Luther King tried to unite us which is what needs to happen.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Sheila: The simple reason is because there is one and only one suspect in the Cobbins murder the police were looking for! There are no known suspects in the other murders! SIMPLE AS THAT. And regardless of whether or not he suffers from mental illness doesn't make murder right! Should we just change all the laws to allow people with mental illness to do whatever they want? NO YOU FOOL! GET A CLUE!

Posted by: Race Issues Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Regardless if James did this crime or not The City of Madison has major racial issues! I like how all of these white folks who say things like, "I drive buy black neighborhoods all the time and they are not helping their situation." Please! You Honda driving idiot! You have to have choice before you decide your situation!This city does not give choice or opportunity if you are black! It does if you are from Mexico but not if you are black! Check the statistics folks Milwaukee is still the mostly racially seperated city in the United States and Madison is not far off! We live in what is called the New Mississippi! There is no race card being played here the only card that is being palyed here is the truth card! The truth is if you are black, young, and male and you live in Madison Wisconsin you will probably end up going to prison at some point in life! Can we say lack of good repesentation! I would not turn myself in either if I was james he knew he was going away because he is black!

Posted by: SHEILA Location: SUN PRAIRIE on May 13, 2008 at 02:14 PM
No we shouldn't place judgement but I went to school with James and I remember feeling sorry for him. His mom suffered from mental issues he was actually homeless at an early age. Knowing what I know of his life and him I think he also suffers from a mental illness. Racism is here in Madison and it is bad but we have to pray and do what we can to make a difference. Why have we not heard a lot about the Cobbins murder but Zimmerman and Joel have been in the news from day one which is fine but WHY NOT COBBINS?

Posted by: And on May 13, 2008 at 01:11 PM
America's Most Wanted got the decription from....wait for it...wait for it.... MPD!!! Give credit where credit is do!! I can tell there aint many dectectives here.

Posted by: regardless on May 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM
MPD has a suspect regardless of guilt. If he was armed and dangerous, he's not now. We can figure out the rest later. Nice work MPD!!!

Posted by: Gary Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Your Right, PLEASE, drop the race issue! Sick of hearing that everytime a person of color is held in custody/arrested. Not everything that happens to a person of color is due to him/her being that color! I do not want to pass judgement on this guy but, if he is innocent, why not turn yourself in? This guy knew he was wanted by the police, hence the reason he fled to Chicago. By the way people, it was the Chicago police who arrested him but it was Americas Most wanted that got a tip as to his whereabouts.

Posted by: All Right on May 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Way to go MPD!!! If this is truly the murderer lock him up and throw away the key!!

Posted by: C on May 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I knew they would catch this one. Once MPD figured out who it was...It was just a matter of time. Great Work!!!

Posted by: U on May 13, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Nice job!! MPD got you and they are going to get the rest of the murderers in this city. I know it didn't happen over night but that's just on CSI, and Law and Order (unless it is to be continued...then it take about a week or so).

Posted by: G on May 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Way to go MPD. Keep up the great work!!

Posted by: P Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM
In response to Your Right from Mad City...drop the "especially if your black" card! It is not a black or white issue and blacks are the only ones who use the "Woe is us" excuse! I occasionally take a drive by the "black" neighborhoods-Allied-and I see the same people, just standing and not actively seeking to better their situations! Drop the color issue..I am sure you are the RACIST!

Posted by: B Location: MADISON on May 13, 2008 at 10:57 AM
He should not have shot him, and he should not have run. It is that simple, he did both and that makes him look real guilty. It is not defending yourself if you kill an unarmed person. Yeah I bet you are kept down, by food stamps, wic, badger care, and section 8. I bet you don't have a job to keep you down. Come on this is Madison, I know racism still exists but I don't think it is that bad in Madison.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Yes there are 2 sides to every story, but when the suspect doesn't stick around to share his side of the story and there are multiple witnesses who saw him shoot Mr Cobbins, then we people with more than half a brain can only assume that he is GUILTY and should be given the chair. Execute him now!

Posted by: Anon Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM
If he is so innocent as some of you think then why did he run away instead of standing tall and act like a man instead of the p---y he is showing all of us? Thank god one more criminal is off the streets.

Posted by: Helen Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM
It will only be a matter of time before Mayor Dave comes out of hiding and takes credit on behalf of the MPD for the solving of this crime. Somehow he will find a way to get the MPD some love.

Posted by: Your Right Location: Mad City on May 13, 2008 at 09:48 AM
2 Sides! You are exactly right! There is always 2 sides to the story! They are so quick to judge in Madison especially if you are Black! They dont realize what we have to go through on a daily basis and how often we have to make choices to protect ourselves! Let the Jury Decide people! let 12 peers decide the fate of this man not some blog happy Daddy's Boy from down town that dont know what it is like to be a person who is held down! Sure some of you people know what its like but you forget! 12 MEN AND WOMEN WILL DECIDE THIS YOUNG MANS CASE! KEEP IT THAT WAY

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Your right I wasnt there, but James "Bo" did not make a smart decision that night..... it may have been the only option that he saw at the moment. I dont know what was going through his head, but i dont think murder was the only option. What about shoot to injure? seriouly defend him all you want but madison PD is going to drag him through hell in Lue of the recent homicides.....

Posted by: P Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Sure, there are details that the public does not know and those will come out in the trial! But, my question is WHY RUN (e.g. OJ Simpson) if you are "innocent"..wouldn't you want to come forward and clear your name? Secondly, I wouldn't be so quick to praise the Madison PD..kudos to the US Marshals and Chicago police!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 08:53 AM
It's good he decided to go to Chicago. If he had stayed in Madison, he would still be loose!

Posted by: 2 SIDES Location: MADISON on May 13, 2008 at 08:50 AM
YOU ALL DIDNT KNOW THE REAL STORY YOU PEOPLE DIDNT KNOW HIM OR WHAT REALLY HAPPENED SO BEFORE YOU TRY TO DEGRADE SOMEONE NEVER ELIMINATE THE FACT THAT YOU WERENT THERE AND YOU DONT KNOW IF HE TO WAS ARMED AND DANGEROUS OR IF BO WAS THREATNED AND HAD TO DEFEND HIS SELF!

Posted by: WOW Location: PEOPLE on May 13, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Bo..... Imma miss you... Good look on the case.... And people its not what it seems theres TWO sides to every story.......

Posted by: C Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Yeah but prison sentences are light. James looks like one big dangerous dude. It only took them a year to find the guy.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Its about time that they catch him. he has been dodging police for almost a year now. Good Job!!

Posted by: jj Location: sp on May 12, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Yes, but MPD didn't make the arrest. Chicago did!

Posted by: JJ Location: MADISON on May 12, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I hope to God the Madison Police is not taking credit for this! It helps when you get the feds involved and real cops like the Chicago Police! Congratulations US Marshals thanks for helping Barney and Roscoe out!

Posted by: Michele Location: Madison on May 12, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Well finally, One down, at least 5 more murderer's to find...Maybe the MPD is finally trying to do something...

Posted by: Anon on May 12, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Of course he was in Chicago!!! These thugs are all coming here from Chicago, do their business in Madison and ruin our city, and then go back to their resting place if they haven't graced us with taking a permanent residence here. Good luck in prison you thug.

Posted by: Mark on May 12, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Tyler, your ignorance is astounding. Not every case gets wrapped up in a day like you seem to think based on your "Law and Order" shows you probably are glued to. Investigations take a long time, especially when crimes such as the recent several appear to be stranger crimes. I'm sure you think you could do a much better job. You are a Monday-morning quarterback at best.

Posted by: Tom Location: Mazomanie on May 12, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Yes !!! One more worthless SCUM off of the Street and put where he belongs !!!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 05:06 PM
AWESOME NEWS!! You can run all you want to thugs but you can't hide, sooner or later you will be sent to prison where you scumbags belong!

Posted by: Tyler Location: Madison on May 12, 2008 at 04:36 PM
So, I guess the MPD does have some competence in investigating murder, in the light of their presumed failure in the latest two cases.

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