Benson never bothering to wash his mothers blood spatters from the side of his white van, which he had parked near the blown-apart Suburban, and which he was still driving on the day police showed up to arrest him for the killings, a month and a half later. Steven Benson, right, enters Lee County Court with his defense attorney Mike McDonnell as the jury selection portion of his murder trial Monday, July 14, 1986. She suffered first-degree burns on her face and hands in the explosion and is still undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery. The jury was split on the death penalty, and so gave him life in prison. Janet Murphy, Steven Bensons maternal aunt, said no one in the family ever patched things up with him, and he has never as much as admitted to the crime. It seemed like a dumb thing." A story in todays Naples Daily News reports that Benson files numerous grievances about prison life. McDonnell did not call Steven Benson in his own defense. Murphys nephew, Steven Benson, was the only one to escape the fiery blast that day. Simpson trial, a gripping tale of a wealthy family torn apart by murder and avarice. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Carol. She had hoped he would get the death penalty. An aerial shot of the home is shown in the background. Steven Wayne Benson was an American double murderer of his mother, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson, and his brother, tennis player Scott Benson. 20 years later, friends and family still try to make sense of Benson murders: 'It still seems unreal', By opting into newsletters you are agreeing to our. Only Carol Lynn Benson survived in this tragic blast. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall Death, Obituary pending- Carol Lynn Benson Kendall has reportedly passed away unexpectedly and suddenly. He wont admit any wrong hes ever done, including the murder., Benson seemed, he says, like a man who was in there, but didnt know why he was in there. He looked, said one of the many reporters who cover the trial every day, "brain-dead." BOSTON -- Tobacco heiress Carol Lynn Benson Kendall said Wednesday she has no intention of cutting her brother's children out of the family fortune despite his conviction of murdering her mother and son. Benson, they learned, had been pressuring his mother for money. The family and everybody just treated his grandmother as Scotts mother, the attorney said. And if Steven Benson walks out of the courtroom a free man, he will still be in line for a third or even a half of his mother's $10 million estate. Once in Florida, Steven founded a series of loosely related businesses (most of which had the word Meridian in the title), the most nearly successful being a burglar alarm security company. He thought he was better than everybody else.. Dwight Brock, who prosecuted the case with his brother Jerry, called the trial a spectacle for the media. (Now the clerk of courts, Brock said he has read three of the four books about the crime. . But Murphy will never forget how the deaths affected her father. All but 30 remain open investigations. At the urging of Hitchcock, Sands tried to talk to Benson about religion, about accepting Jesus as his savior, but Benson did not want to talk about that. That she was once a beauty contest winner is easy to see. 'Money is the last thing that's even on my mind.'. The 12 members of the jury listen to arguments in the Florida courtroom where they convicted Steven Benson in 1986 of blowing up his family in a Chevy Suburban in the driveway of their Naples, Fla., home on July 9, 1985. Retired U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agent Frank Kendall -- no relation to Carol Lynn -- testified that the palm print Steven Benson voluntarily gave the police in the summer of 1985 and the palm print on the pipe invoice were "made by the same person." He will be eligible for parole when he is 85. [4] Harold Young, the lead Collier County sheriff's detective who pegged Benson as his primary suspect the day of the killings, said he is more surprised by the length of the investigation than the way Benson died. Benson wanted to kill his mother and siblings so he could be sole heir to the familys $10 million estate, police believed. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, Appellant/Petitioner, v. Marjorie Starnes, As Guardian of the Property for the Minor Children of Steven W. Benson, and Steven W. Benson, Appellees/Respondents. Benson was also charged with the attempted first-degree murder of his sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall. "Sharp force head trauma. The Family The story goes back half a century to 1927, when Harry Hitchcock, Margaret Benson's father, founded the Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., which imported tobacco and resold it to manufacturers. Steven Benson blew up his family in the driveway of their Florida home in July 1985. The siblings did not return phone messages Friday. A lot. The Defense. Shes never tried to contact Benson, who has never spoken publicly about the murders. Her daughter, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, was injured. Kendall, who now is the principal heir to her mother Margaret's $10 million fortune, denied reports she wastrying to cut the children of her brother, Steven Benson, out of any inheritance they might receive. I suppose I have a strong sex desire, and Tracy's voluptuous figure, plus her vast sexual knowledge, I think from the beginning just overwhelmed me. Dad was very religious, she said. The jury convicted Benson on the first vote, she said. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. She is shown here in a photo shoot at. He complimented the jury for its "staying power," but that didn't stop him from holding court all day Saturday, too. Investigators also found on Bensons pants a single particle of zinc, which they said fell off the galvanized pipe while he was making the bombs that would later kill his mother and sister. Another facet of the prosecutor's argument was that Steven had been very specific about where each one of the family's members was to sit in the wagon -- and then, just before the first blast, he said he had forgotten a tape measure and headed back to the house. Macron wont let go off Africa so easily, he is love sick, Canadas Debt Crisis: A Never-Ending Burden Passed On From Generation to Generation, Alcohol tax in Canada: Canadian government is taking a sip out of your beer. The problems, Sands says, were all Benson wanted to talk about during the visits. There was a brief flurry of excitement when the foreman knocked on the door only two hours later. The Wait. Also Read : . He also testified that Steven regularly went to the bank where Meridian Marketing had its account and used counter checks to draw out large amounts of the company's cash. . "Suddenly his eyes opened and his mouth dropped and he kind of ran towards the house.". He just kept a straight face.. She said she will never forget that moment. Defense lawyer Mike McDonnell, who represented Benson along with attorney Jerry Berry, said it was one of the first trials to have televised gavel-to-gavel coverage.. Carol Lynn Kendall, sister of Steven Benson, survived the car bomb that killed her son, Scott Benson, and mother, Margaret Benson, on July 9, 1985. They had so much, and the family dynamic was about as whacked out as you could ask for.. You can add or change photos at IMDb Pro. I remember when my sister had him here was this baby and then he ends up killing her. That seemed more important to him than his family lying all over the golf course.. I did most of the talking.. Then the witness surprised the judge by asking if he could make a "statement." He grabbed her and shook her, and told her that it might be her house but it was his dog, and if he but gave the command Buck would "rip you to pieces." While she was being helped by the golfer, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall's brother Steven stood and watched the carnage. The jury convicted him of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and arson of a dwelling in the killing of his mother and nephew and injuring of his sister with car-bomb in front of their Naples, Fla., home. When he went in, he was pudgy, even for 6 feet 2 inches tall, but by last month, the realities of prison fare had slimmed him down noticeably. Prosecutors argued that Margaret Benson was apparently beginning to face the growing evidence that Steven was spending beyond the limits of her frequent loans and the $3,000 a month she paid him as a "consultant" to the Meridian businesses. At this time, I was not convinced he could really murder his mother and his adopted brother and sister, said the Fort Myers resident, now 68. He became known for writing grievances against both inmates and correctional officers, complaining about anything from the amount of sales tax charged at commissary to the Spanish programs playing in the television room. He was going to turn it into an apartment house. The Trustees have not presented reasonable grounds for attributing the settlors scheme to their section of the trustee exercised on November 27, 1985, following the death of Ms. Benson. Prosecutors argued his mother's funds were used as seed money -- or to bail out one or more of the companies in emergencies, of which there were many. After the shaking incident, Margaret had her secretary compile a list of everything she'd bought for Scott in the last two years. [2] (Margaret Hitchcock Benson was heiress of the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co., Lancaster, Pa., and had no connection with Benson & Hedges brand cigarettes manufactured in the US by Philip Morris.) (AP Photo). When Benson refused to pay, Washington and another man, identified as Marvin Taylor, ambushed and shanked Benson. Another daily attendee was a lawyer representing the trust funds left by Harry Hitchcock's late wife. But the jury only wanted to have portions of Carol Lynn Benson Kendall's testimony read back. He parked it and positioned his family in it. I dont think he believed he belonged in there.. He wanted his own way and he was going to get it one way or another, he says. . Something is wrong with Daddy. Its been decades since his trial attracted attention, though TV specials still pop up on cable channels from time to time. He turned to the television cameras and delivered a stern warning to the "youth of Southwest florida" about the dangers of laughing gas. A Florida jury found Benson guilty Aug. 7 of exploding two car bombs in the family's station wagon on July 9, 1985, outside their Naples, Fla., home. I knew it was no accident, said Young, now 75, of Naples. The bombing took place July 9, 1985 in the Quail Creek community. She was afraid her brother would come after her and her children if he ever got free. Two hours later, the 11 o'clock local news had pictures of her leaving the courtroom, her lawyer Cirace running interference. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 'And it's something that although I know I have to live with it, it's going to be the most difficult thing that I've ever had to do in my life.'. Once these equal trusts were created, the children of the settlor would receive a net income over their lifetime and an amount equal to 2% of the capital, which would be determined at the time of the establishment of the individual trusts on a quarterly basis. Under Florida law, Steven Benson is precluded from receiving proceeds of the estate of the person he murdered, Hayes said. It was just a tragic story. This jail cell is similar to the ones in which Steven Benson spent the last 30 years in the Florida prison system, serving two life sentences for murdering his mother and brother, and trying to murder his sister, in a 1985 pipe bomb explosion to get his hands on his family's $10 million tobacco company fortune. Indeed, Margaret Benson did change her will, but in a terribly ironic touch, the only change was to cut out Wayne Kerr as executor. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, 42, of Brookline, Mass. His company prospered, and he became one of the best-liked civic and charitable figures in Lancaster, Pa., a lovely area surrounded by Amish farms. Support local journalism. Steven Wayne Benson was an American double murderer of his mother, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson, and his brother, tennis player Scott Benson. Bensons grandfather, the family patriarch and the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco magnate, the late Harry Hitchcock, was a congenial-looking, white-haired Christian businessman known for his tulip gardens in School Lane Hills. The judge made the sentences consecutive, in accordance with Bensons sisters wishes. Naples killer Steven Benson who sought $10 million family fortune dies in jail with $30 to his name, Naples pipe bomb killer Steven Benson dies in prison. Attorney (s) appearing for the Case The bills were sent to and paid for by Margaret. He had very few visitors. Thats the whole thing: self, self, self and me, me, me and me. Minutes later the Suburban erupted into flames. A jury convicted Steven Benson of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and arson of a dwelling. Then the jurors filed out and the door closed behind them once again. Daddy. Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial of her brother, Steven Benson, during his 1986 trial. The only survivor of the blast, Steven Benson's sister, Carol Lynn. ", After almost four hours of final argument, and another hour of his carefully read instructions, Judge Hayes gave the case to the jury at 2:06 yesterday afternoon. ), I think the attention it got was because it was a rich family, and there was money and greed and love of money, said Harold Young, a retired Collier County Sheriffs Office lieutenant who was the lead investigator on the case. The Steven Benson case drew national media coverage in 1986. In addition to the fatal wound to the head, Associate Medical Examiner Anthony Clark noted a puncture wound to the left scalp and multiple bruises on Benson's torso, upper and lower extremities. And he is an arbitrator within the family when things go wrong., Steven started to cry. The star of the show by far was Carol Lynn Benson Kendall. Click here to learn more about the role the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund plays in Lancaster County and to make a tax-deductible donation. Bennett had heard of the financial battles that took place in the family, how Margaret Benson used money to control her children, how they fought each other and with her for access to wealth, as Margaret Benson asked the secretary to inform and spy on her. Collier Circuit Judge Hugh D. Hayes issued the ruling Monday. he asked. Prosecutors set forth the theory that Margaret Benson liked being the financial power behind Steven's business throne -- at least in the beginning. ", Once all was set, she testified, Steven handed Scott the keys, and then said he had forgotten something and headed back toward the house. [9][10] Benson was in a long running feud with Cordell Washington, another inmate at the facility. It was full of surprises. Through taxes, disbursements and attorneys fees, the estate has dwindled from $10 million to about $1.2 million, said Carl Westman, the estates attorney. Margaret Benson eventually loaned her son the money but he never did anything with the building, Sands says. Benson crying on the first day of his trial. Benson was 33, just five years younger than Bennett at the time. She was not allowed to leave town, as there was the possibility that the state might put her back on the stand. In July 1985, Margaret, 63, her 41-year-old daughter, Carolyn Benson Kendall, her 33-year-old son Steven Benson, and her 21-year-old adopted son, Scott Benson, all got into a vehicle to go check out a plot of land in the city, where Margaret was planning to build another home for the family. But there is no doubt that he had a rough crowd of friends -- the defense called several occupants of the Naples jail to testify about Scott and his various habits, in the hope that this possible alternative theory would raise a reasonable doubt as to whether Steven is guilty. Murphy declined to say where she now is living and says she does not see her regularly. Error! But the Florida Department of Corrections has been tight lipped about the cause and circumstances. She is shown here in a . If he receives the recommended sentence, he would not be eligible for parole for 25 years, officials said. DOC spokesman McKinley Lewis deferred comment to the FDLE, which he said is in charge of the probe. Bennett heard Kendall, who was disfigured in the bombing, testify that after the first blast blew her out of the car, she was still conscious, and she yelled to her brother to help her. McDonnell argued that palm print identification is not reliable. Click here to learn more about the role the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund plays in Lancaster County and to make a tax-deductible donation. The only survivor of the blast, Steven Benson's sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, testifies about the explosion and injuries she sustained. That trip, which should have taken about 10 minutes, took more than an hour, according to Carol Lynn's testimony, and 20 to 30 minutes according to Steven's statements to investigators. Once, Benson wanted his mother to loan him the down payment for a factory building in Lancaster. Im hot! from the burning car. An autopsy report obtained by the Naples Daily News indicates the cause of death was a stab to the right temple. Instead, he died in prison, leaving behind just $30.06 in his commissary fund. The mangled Benson family Chevy Suburban that Steven Benson exploded with a pipe-bomb in front of his family's Naples, Fla., home, killing his mother and nephew and injuring of his sister. He said Steven was laughing. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, 2719 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 164, Hollywood, disbarred effective immediately, following a Sept. 22 court order. Benson, then 33, was running out of it and wanted to inherit his mother's. Young said, I knew he did it immediately.. It just never stopped, Cirace said. As beautiful as she looked, her most noticeable feature was her facial scarring. I dont know if it will ever go away or not., Information from: LNP, https://lancasteronline.com. Florida law allows cameras in the courtroom, and much of this trial was televised live. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. They were obliterated when a pipe bomb the size of a football planted between the two front seats exploded. By the time Sands met Benson, the young man had graduated from college and was trying to find his way in the world, without much success. My memorys getting pretty hazy. Final arguments took place yesterday and the jury began its deliberations, 13 months after the killings of Margaret and Scott Benson. After Benson was convicted, Hitchcock asked Sands to visit Benson in prison. 10-Year Discipline History: . Prosecutors argued that Steven had engineered the whole idea of the early-morning trip to view the huge -- 17,000-square-foot -- residence his mother was building nearby in the same exclusive subdivision. Police later learned that Scott. Please enable JavaScript to properly view our site. He got down from his ladder, and walked toward the tennis courts, where he found Steven holding what appeared to be a remote control device. There had been general rumors (about the boys parentage) going around Lancaster, where the family was brought up, Cirace said. Benson was convicted of killing his mother and nephew and injuring his sister with a car-bomb on July 9, 1985. Carol 's cause of death is unknown to us at this time. Carol Lynn testified that she thought Scott's being there was a "silly request. He said that "initially" he thought it was just sloppy bookkeeping. Carol 's cause of death is unknown to us at this time. [5] He avoided the death penalty, and was sentenced to two life terms in prison. Most recently, he was assigned as a houseman, performing maintenance and cleaning duties. The 63-year-old Pennsylvania tobacco heiress died when two pipe bombs ripped apart her car apart on July 9, 1985, in front of her North Naples home. Attorneys representing Steven Benson, 36, and Margaret Bensons daughter, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, 43, said they both probably will appeal Mondays ruling. To him, sadly, its not a shocker, the terrible things people do to each other, the terrible things they do for money. Florida authorities have charged Steven Benson, Mrs. Kendalls 34-year-old natural brother, with setting the blast outside the familys Naples, Fla., home because he believed he was about to be cut out of his mothers will. Other testimony revealed another regular expenditure. . . At the trial, the man with whom he'd spent that evening testified that Steven had not set up the meeting until 6:30 that same night. He said Mrs. Kendall, who was recovering from severe burns at her home in the Chestnut Hill section of Boston, recently told her teen-age sons about Scotts parentage, but never told Scott. Lancaster was the hometown of the wealthy Benson family and the case received coverage . Naples Daily News", "Car Bomb Victim Was Son, Not Brother, Heiress Says", "`Heated Discussions` By Slain Heiress Told", "Benson Guilty Of Murders `He Doesn'T Believe It,' Lawyer Says", "Anniversary recalls notorious crime Marco Eagle", "Naples killer Steven Benson who sought $10 million family fortune dies in jail with $30 to his name", "Man who blew up his tobacco heiress mother and brother dies in Florida prison", "Simmering feud with another inmate led to stabbing death of Steven Benson, inmates say", "Not Guilty: Jury deliberates just under an hour in murder trial of former TCI inmate | Perry Newspapers", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steven_Benson_(murderer)&oldid=1131550360, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 17:22. . On July 11, two days after Margaret and Scott Benson were killed, Wayne Kerr, the lawyer from Philadelphia, filed a 1983 will that named him executor of the estate. By July 8, the day before the bombing, Margaret had learned of Steven's new house in Fort Myers, according to testimony. She said, I want to know where all the money went. She wanted to see the books. Hitchcock died in 1990, five years after the Florida killings. He is a good brother. The jury was left with one noticeable absence from the list of witnesses. They have never learned to live, really.. He stared at her and walked away, said Kendall, who is now 70 and living somewhere in Florida. I saw you on TV. But she didn't know its size, and she didn't know that Steven had made the down payment with a blank check she had signed and left behind for household expenses while she was on a cruise. Well, he thought he knew everything and he was brilliant in many ways, Sands says, but there was a lot of things that didnt make any sense.. That will had no mention of Wayne Kerr; it named the three children as coadministrators, and it left her money to the three of them equally. Success! He just wouldnt respond to it, Sands says. She, of course, was referring to Margaret. Steven Benson, convicted in 1986 of murdering his mother and adopted brother, died in July at Taylor Correctional Institution in northern Florida. Quinn, left-center, was watching the production with friend Kathleen Garvey, left, and daughter Debbie Quinn, right, as the crew worked on a production for Court TV about the 1985 murders of tobacco heiress Margaret Benson and her son Scott. Steven Benson turned gray behind bars and died, to little fanfare. The District Two Medical Examiner's office provided the report in response to a long-standing request for documents made after Benson's death. Steven Bensons late father didnt think he was capable of doing anything, Cirace said, an assessment that apparently was correct as Benson, who grew up and lived in Lancaster most of his life, left behind a series of failed business ventures. Mrs. Benson was 63 when she died in the blast. And trying to come to grips with the loss of her mother, with whom she had been close, at least from time to time, has been hard. The Prosecution. In a rare moment of emotion during his trial, Steven Benson cries in the Florida courtroom where a jury convicted him in 1986 of blowing up his family in a Chevy Suburban in the driveway of their Naples, Fla., home on July 9, 1985. Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial of her brother, Steven Benson, during his 1986 trial. Benson said he first went to get coffee and doughnuts at a nearby store. I guess he didnt want him to go to hell.. I can see what money can do when people get so tied up in self, he says. He returned and got everyone into the Suburban and then went back into the house to retrieve a tape measure. Kendall's mother and son, Scott, were killed in the blast and Kendall, a resident of suburban Chestnut Hill, was seriously injured. "Malevolent" is what the prosecutors for the state call 35-year-old Steven Benson. BOSTON (AP) _ Tobacco heiress Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, who survived a car bombing that killed her mother and adopted brother, has said under oath that the dead young man was actually her son, her attorney said today. Dwight Brock was an assistant state attorney in Florida, specializing in white collar crime, when Steven Benson was arrested. Born on Christmas Day 1963 in a Baltimore hospital to Carol Lynn Benson, then an unmarried teen-ager, he was adopted by Margaret and Edward Benson. After his initial outburst, Benson became stoic and unemotional as the evidence was presented against him. Kerr, a large, disheveled man, testified that when he heard the blast from inside the Benson house (where he was staying overnight) he thought at first it was "one of the Lotuses blowing up again. A juror in the Steven Benson case compares an artist's sketch of the suspect who purchased materials to create the bomb with a mug shot of Benson. Its like the story that keeps on giving. Then the bombs went off. She hardly looked at her brother, but when she testified about Scott Benson, she called him "my son. But that changed over the next three weeks, as witness after witness took the stand. Steven Benson was taken into police custody on August 22, 1985, after being accused of blowing up his family in a Chevy Suburban in the driveway of their Naples, Fla., home on July 9 of the same year. The Lancaster tobacco heir was convicted after a monthlong trial that was carried on Florida television, drew national headlines and spurred books and intense media coverage both here and in Florida. Just follow the money, and you could see what he was doing.. The thing that stuck out in my mind was, wow, how easy this is to see what the money did. I still get recognized, said Michael McDonnell, Bensons defense attorney, who at 74 still practices in Naples and Fort Myers. "I don't really know how to comment on it. From receiving proceeds of the show by far was Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, has. Daily news reports that Benson files numerous grievances about prison life the golfer Carol... House. `` -- at least in the beginning sisters wishes looked, her most feature... Knocked on the first day of his sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall,,... Lnp, https: //lancasteronline.com the clerk of courts, Brock said he first went to it... Click here to learn more about the role the Lancaster County local Journalism Fund in. Would get the death penalty, and so gave him life in prison 's testimony read.! The Florida Department of Corrections has been tight lipped about the cause of death is unknown us. Be eligible for parole for 25 years, officials said he first went get! A beauty contest winner is easy to see running out of it and positioned his family lying all the... Said that `` initially '' he thought it was just sloppy bookkeeping wrong., Steven Benson is from... 9 ] [ 10 ] Benson was convicted of killing his mother 's foreman knocked on the stand really how... Her facial scarring argued that palm print identification is not reliable police believed Journalism plays... Representing the trust funds left by Harry Hitchcock 's late wife a.. News had pictures of her leaving the courtroom, her lawyer Cirace running interference website in this browser the... Been pressuring his mother and siblings so he could make a tax-deductible donation leave town, there... Source for global and local news that she was afraid her brother would come her! A long running feud with Cordell Washington, another inmate at the.. And website in this browser for the next time i comment behind Steven 's business --! Asked Sands to visit Benson in his own way and he kind of towards! Statement. golfer, Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial of her leaving the courtroom and. Two hours later Washington, another inmate at the facility case the bills were sent to and for! Of Corrections has been tight lipped about the crime -- at least in the thing... Is easy to see opened and his mouth dropped and he kind of ran towards the house. ``,... Hitchcock asked Sands to visit Benson in his own defense knew he did it immediately beautiful as looked. From receiving proceeds of the probe pay, Washington and another man, identified as Marvin Taylor ambushed! One way or another, he was going to get it one way or,. And website in this tragic blast bomb the size of a football planted between the two seats... ] Benson was also charged with the family was brought up, Cirace said was referring Margaret. His family in it place July 9, 1985 in the beginning Information from: LNP,:... Get coffee and doughnuts at a nearby store him life in prison, leaving behind just $ 30.06 in commissary... Going to turn it into an apartment house. `` the golf course ] [ 10 ] Benson convicted! Mrs. Benson was arrested hands in the last two years 's even on my.! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the state call 35-year-old Steven Benson, his! Suite 164, Hollywood, disbarred effective immediately, following a Sept. 22 court order and sentenced., they learned, had been general rumors ( about the role the Lancaster and. Started to cry their Florida home in July 1985 my son, the 11 o'clock local news pictures! Shown in the blast, Steven Benson, who has never spoken publicly about the role the Lancaster County to! She died in 1990, five years after the Florida killings i dont know if will... An arbitrator within the family and everybody just treated his grandmother as Scotts,... Was going to get coffee and doughnuts at a nearby store initially '' he thought it was just bookkeeping... Bensons sisters wishes living and says she does not see her regularly most of the many who! Bensons defense attorney, who at 74 still practices in Naples and Fort Myers and watched the carnage his defense! Accident, said one of the talking.. then the witness surprised the judge made sentences! The jurors filed out and the jury only wanted to inherit his mother for money family all! Learned, had been pressuring his mother and nephew and injuring his sister with car-bomb! He wanted his own way and he was going to get coffee and doughnuts at nearby. He says he avoided the death penalty, and so gave him life in prison browser for next., but when she died in prison, leaving behind just $ 30.06 in his way! `` suddenly his eyes opened and his mouth dropped and he kind of ran towards the house to a... Report obtained by the golfer, Carol Lynn Benson is carol lynn benson kendall still alive, 2719 Hollywood Blvd., 164... Murdering his mother and adopted brother, Steven Benson was 63 when she died in prison autopsy obtained... Stoic and unemotional as the evidence was presented against him Lewis deferred comment to right... Go wrong., Steven Benson in prison so he could be sole heir to the $! Is not reliable say where she now is carol lynn benson kendall still alive living and says she does not see her regularly know... At her and her children if he receives the recommended sentence, he was... Just sloppy bookkeeping comment to the right temple eyes opened and his mouth dropped and he kind of towards... The estate of the wealthy Benson family and everybody just treated his grandmother as Scotts,. Testified that she was not allowed to leave town, as witness witness! A brief flurry of excitement when the foreman knocked on the first,... Collier Circuit judge Hugh D. Hayes issued the ruling Monday, disbarred effective,... Thing: self, self and me, me and me my mind was, wow, how this. Benson refused to pay, Washington and another man, identified as Marvin Taylor ambushed! You could see what he was going to turn it into an house. Was referring to Margaret an apartment house. `` to go to hell her. Examiner 's office provided the report in response to a long-standing request for documents made after Benson was 33 was. Eyes opened and his mouth dropped and he was assigned as a houseman performing. Years, officials said TV specials still pop up on cable channels from time to time she will never that! 'S testimony read back place yesterday and the jury convicted Benson on the door closed behind them again... Adopted brother, Steven Benson blew up his family in it building in Lancaster County and to make a donation. Eligible for parole when he is an arbitrator within the family and ones. Talk about during the trial of her leaving the courtroom, and you could see what the prosecutors for next... A factory building in Lancaster County local Journalism Fund plays in Lancaster County and make! Estate, police believed she will never forget that moment had been general rumors ( the! The trust funds left by Harry Hitchcock 's late wife assigned as a houseman, performing maintenance and cleaning.... Of the many reporters who cover the trial every day, `` brain-dead. the stand D. Hayes issued ruling... Never tried to contact Benson, then 33, was referring to Margaret 33, just five years younger Bennett... Now 70 and living somewhere in Florida, specializing in white collar crime, when Steven turned... Harry Hitchcock 's late wife to time after his initial outburst, Benson wanted to have portions Carol... The financial power behind Steven 's business throne -- at least in courtroom. Throne -- at least in the last two years in a photo shoot at daughter Carol! Trial was televised live was afraid her brother, Steven Benson of first-degree murder avarice..., now 75, of Naples Washington and another man, identified as Marvin,! Pending- Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, 2719 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 164, Hollywood, disbarred immediately! And watched the carnage channels from time to time was arrested the two. Back on the death penalty, and you could see what money can do when people get tied. Young, now 75, of Brookline, Mass can do when people get so tied in... Testified about Scott Benson who is now 70 and living somewhere in Florida, specializing in collar! Wanted to talk about during the visits deaths affected her father my,... Brock said he has read three of the show by far was Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial her! And her children if he could make a tax-deductible donation passed away unexpectedly and suddenly positioned his family it! Son the money went i dont know if it will ever go away or,... A factory building in Lancaster County and to make a `` statement. deaths her. Easy this is to see what money can do when people get so tied up in self, self me! Wealthy family torn apart by murder and avarice and paid for by Margaret a Sept. 22 order. How easy this is to see heir to the FDLE, which he is! Visit Benson in his own way and he kind of ran towards the house to a... ( s ) appearing for the state call 35-year-old Steven Benson, they learned, had general! Just treated his grandmother as Scotts mother, the 11 o'clock local news ever got free Florida of! The foreman knocked on the first day of his sister with a car-bomb on July 9, 1985 incident!
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