Anna Sowers celebrated her 28th birthday in a Federal Hill restaurant yesterday with cake, balloons and good friends. But the most important person in her life, her husband, couldn't be there.
Nine months after Zachary Sowers was robbed and beaten near the young couple's Patterson Park home, he lay across town at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in a persistent vegetative state.
While time has stood still for Zach, Anna has struggled to plan for the years to come - not knowing whether they will include her husband or the dreams they'd shared.
FOR THE RECORD
An article in yesterday's Maryland section provided inaccurate information about Trayvon Ramos, a 16-year-old involved in the beating of Zachary Sowers in Patterson Park nine months ago. Ramos was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty in the attack. He had no trial; none of the other suspects testified against him.
The Sun regrets the error.
"I've been thinking about my future," she said, sitting at a table at Regi's American Bistro, where friends had gathered to wish her happy birthday. "But it's hard because I'm still in the same place I was nine months ago. I didn't even know if I should get a roommate to bring in some extra money, because I didn't know if Zach was coming back."
Her friends also arranged Neighbors' Night Out, a fundraiser held yesterday to help pay for Zach's medical care. More than two dozen restaurants, including Regi's, agreed to donate between 10 percent and 20 percent of the day's proceeds to his care. A similar event held last summer raised about $13,000.
Another fundraising event, Give Back For Zach, will mark the June 1 anniversary of the attack.
As the months have ticked by and the medical expenses mounted, the likelihood of Zach's recovery has diminished significantly. "It's been so long," Anna said, "that it's slim to none that Zach will ever come out of this."
They had been married less than a year when Zach was punched in the head and stomped during the nighttime street robbery. His assailants took his wallet, money and cell phone. The attack left Zach in a coma and he has never regained consciousness.
In December, Trayvon Ramos, 16, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and robbery charges. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison with all but 40 years suspended. The three other men involved in the violent robbery, Eric Price, 17; Arthur Jeter, 18; and Wilburt Martin, 19, testified against Ramos in exchange for eight-year prison terms.
As part of their plea bargains, the defendants will not face additional charges if Zach Sowers dies.
Anna was so frustrated with the process and outcome of the trials that she is considering going to law school. She said eight years in prison was "a joke" for the three defendants who agreed to testify against Ramos, particularly since they never actually testified. As for Ramos, she questioned whether 40 years was long enough.
