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{{Infobox criminal
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Erika Sifrit
| name = Erika Sifrit
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
⚫
| caption =
| alt =
| birth_date = February 3, 1978
⚫
| caption =
⚫
| conviction = First-degree murder, second-degree murder
| birth_name = Erika Elaine Grace
| sentence = Life in prison plus 25 years}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|02|03|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| nationality = American
⚫
| criminal_charge = First-degree murder, second-degree murder
| penalty = [[Life imprisonment|Life]] plus 25 years
| conviction_status = Incarcerated at [[Patuxent Institution]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Benjamin Sifrit|1998|2010|reason=divorced}}
| victims = 2
| date = May 25, 2002
| time =
| country = United States
| states = [[Maryland]]
| fatalities = Joshua Ford<br>Martha "Geney" Crutchley
| weapons =
| apprehended = May 31, 2002
}}
{{Infobox criminal
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Benjamin Sifrit
| name = Benjamin Sifrit
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
⚫
| caption =
| alt =
| birth_date = October 21, 1977
⚫
| caption =
⚫
| conviction = Second-Degree Murder, First-degree assault
| birth_name = Benjamin Adam Sifrit
| sentence = 38 years in prison}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|10|21|mf=yes}}
'''Erika and Benjamin Sifrit''' gained notoriety in 2002 for the murders of Joshua Ford, 32, and Martha "Geney" Crutchley, 51, over Memorial Day weekend in [[Ocean City, Maryland]]. In 2003, both Sifrits were convicted of the murders. Benjamin Sifrit is currently serving 38 years at the [[North Branch Correctional Institution]] in [[Cumberland, Maryland]], while Erika Sifrit is serving a life sentence plus 20 years at the [[Patuxent Institution]] in Jessup, Maryland.<ref name="Maryland">{{cite news|publisher=Maryland DOC Inmate Locator|year=2006|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/inmate/search.do?searchType=name&firstnm=&lastnm=sifrit}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Estherville, Iowa]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| alias = B.J. Sifrit
⚫
| criminal_charge = Second-degree murder, first-degree assault
| penalty = 38 years
| conviction_status = Incarcerated at [[North Branch Correctional Institution]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Erika Sifrit|1998|2010|reason=divorced}}
| victims = 1
| date = May 25, 2002
| time =
| country = United States
| states = [[Maryland]]
| fatalities = Martha "Geney" Crutchley
| weapons =
| apprehended = May 31, 2002
}}


'''Erika Elaine Sifrit''' (nee Grace; born February 3, 1978) and '''Benjamin Adam Sifrit''' (born October 21, 1977) are an American couple who gained notoriety in 2002 for the murders of Joshua Ford, 32, and Martha "Geney" Crutchley, 51, over [[Memorial Day]] weekend in [[Ocean City, Maryland]]. In 2003, both Sifrits were convicted of the murders.
⚫
==Early Lives==

⚫
'''Erika Elaine Grace''' was born on February 3, 1978 in [[Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania]] to Charlotte Gail "Cookie" (née Klotz) and Gerald Mitchell Grace. '''Benjamin Adam Sifrit''' was born on October 21, 1977 in [[Estherville, Iowa]] to Elizabeth Ann "Buffie" (née Graves) and Craig Arthur Sifrit. Erika Grace and BJ Sifrit married in 1998, when they were both 20 years old. She was an honors student and basketball star at [[Mary Washington College]], and he was a former [[Navy SEAL]]. Shortly after marrying, the couple moved near Erika's hometown of [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]. There, the couple opened and operated a scrapbook store.<ref name="Hewitt">{{cite news|author=Bill Hewitt|title=Thrill Killers?|date=2003-06-09|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140277,00.html}}</ref>
Benjamin Sifrit is currently serving 38 years at the [[North Branch Correctional Institution]] in [[Cumberland, Maryland]], while Erika Sifrit is serving a life sentence plus 20 years at the [[Patuxent Institution]] in Jessup, Maryland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maryland DOC Inmate Locator|url=http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/inmate/search.do?searchType=detail&id=85597|publisher=dpscs.state.md.us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Maryland DOC Inmate Locator|url=http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/inmate/search.do?searchType=detail&id=364501|publisher=dpscs.state.md.us}}</ref> The Sifrits divorced in 2010.<ref name="Augenstein">{{cite news|author=Neil Augenstein|title=Court officer changes mind, OKs Sifrit divorce.|date=August 12, 2010|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://www.wtop.com/?nid=&sid=2026380}}</ref>

⚫
==Early lives==
⚫
'''Erika Elaine Grace''' was born in [[Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania]] to Charlotte Gail "Cookie" (née Klotz) and Gerald Mitchell Grace. '''Benjamin Adam "BJ" Sifrit''' was born in [[Estherville, Iowa]] to Elizabeth Ann "Buffie" (née Graves) and Craig Arthur Sifrit. Erika Grace and Benjamin Sifrit married in 1998, when they were both 20 years old. She was an honors student and basketball star at [[Mary Washington College]], and he was a former [[Navy SEAL]]. Shortly after marrying, the couple moved near Erika's hometown of [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]. There, the couple opened and operated a scrapbook store.<ref name="Hewitt">{{cite news|author=Bill Hewitt|title=Thrill Killers?|date=June 9, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140277,00.html}}</ref>


==Murders==
==Murders==
On May 25, 2002, the Sifrits, both 24 at the time, met another couple, Joshua Ford and Martha Margene "Geney" Crutchley, a mortgage banker and insurance executive from [[Alexandria, Virginia]], respectively, who were on vacation. After a night of partying together at the Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City Maryland, the couple went back to the Sifrit's condominium. According to records, the Sifrits claimed that Joshua and Martha stole Erika's purse, and BJ pulled a gun on the couple. After retreating to the bathroom, Joshua was shot four times with BJ's gun and killed. Martha was also killed; investigators believe that she was stabbed, but the official cause of death could not be determined from her remains. The bodies were then dismembered and disposed of in a grocery store dumpster in [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]]. The remains were transferred to a nearby landfill, where they were recovered by searchers nine days later.<ref name="Hewitt"/>
On May 25, 2002, the Sifrits, both 24 at the time, met another couple, Joshua Ford and Martha Margene "Geney" Crutchley, a mortgage banker and insurance executive from [[Alexandria, Virginia]], respectively, who were on vacation. After a night of partying together at the Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City Maryland, the couple went back to the Sifrits' condominium. According to records, the Sifrits claimed that Ford and Crutchley stole Erika's purse, and Benjamin pulled a gun on the couple. After retreating to the bathroom, Ford was shot four times with Benjamin Sifrit's gun and killed. Crutchley was also killed; investigators believe that she was stabbed, but the official cause of death could not be determined from her remains. The bodies were then dismembered and disposed of in a grocery store dumpster in [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]]. The remains were transferred to a nearby landfill, where they were recovered by searchers nine days later.<ref name="Hewitt"/>


==Arrests and Trials==
==Arrests and trials==
Erika and BJ Sifrit were arrested on May 31, 2002, but not for murder: the couple were caught robbing a [[Hooters]] store. When police searched Erika Sifrit's purse, they uncovered the licenses of Joshua and Martha, who at that point had been reported missing for days. Erika confessed to murdering the couple shortly after her apprehension, but claimed the idea was her husband's.<ref name="Hewitt"/>
Erika and Benjamin Sifrit were arrested on May 31, 2002, but not for murder: the couple were caught robbing a [[Hooters]] store. When police searched Erika Sifrit's purse, they uncovered the licenses of Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley, who at that point had been reported missing for days. Erika confessed to murdering the couple shortly after her apprehension, but claimed the idea was her husband's.<ref name="Hewitt"/>


Because of the heavy publicity of the case, the Sifrits' trials were moved out of [[Worcester County, Maryland]]. Benjamin's trial was held in [[Rockville, Maryland]] and Erika's was held in [[Frederick, Maryland|Frederick]].<ref name="Jury">{{cite news|title=Jury Reaches Verdict in Sifrit Case.|date=2003-04-10|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/2098077/detail.html}}</ref>
Because of the heavy publicity of the case, the Sifrits' trials were moved out of [[Worcester County, Maryland]]. Benjamin's trial was held in [[Rockville, Maryland]] and Erika's was held in [[Frederick, Maryland|Frederick]].<ref name="Jury">{{cite news|title=Jury Reaches Verdict in Sifrit Case.|date=April 10, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/2098077/detail.html}}</ref>


BJ Sifrit was the first to go to trial in March 2003. At the trial, a 22 year-old woman named Melissa Seling testified that she had almost become the Sifrits' next victim. On the stand, she told jurors that she was subjected to the same ritual that Joshua and Martha endured, although she was able to avoid being killed.<ref name="Hewitt"/> On April 9, 2003, he was only convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was acquitted of all charges in the death of Joshua Ford.<ref name="Jury"/> He was later sentenced to 38 years in prison on July 7, 2003.<ref name="Barker">{{cite news|author=Jeff Barker|title=Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing.| date=2003-06-11|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-06-11/news/0306110270_1_erika-sifrit-verdict-sentence-in-murder}}</ref><ref name="Erika Sifrit">{{cite news|title=Erika Sifrit Describes O.C. Tourist Murders.|date=2004-09-02|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/3702953/detail.html}}</ref>
Benjamin Sifrit was the first to go to trial in March 2003. At the trial, a 22 year-old woman named Melissa Seling testified that she had almost become the Sifrits' next victim. On the stand, she told jurors that she was subjected to the same ritual that Joshua and Martha endured, although she was able to avoid being killed.<ref name="Hewitt"/> On April 9, 2003, Benjamin Sifrit was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was acquitted of all charges in the death of Joshua Ford.<ref name="Jury"/> He was later sentenced to 38 years in prison on July 7, 2003.<ref name="Barker">{{cite news|author=Jeff Barker|title=Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing.| date=June 11, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-06-11/news/0306110270_1_erika-sifrit-verdict-sentence-in-murder}}</ref><ref name="Erika Sifrit">{{cite news|title=Erika Sifrit Describes O.C. Tourist Murders.|date=September 2, 2004|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/3702953/detail.html}}</ref>


Erika Sifrit's trial started on June 3, 2003.<ref name="Double">{{cite news|title=Double Murder Trial Begins for Erika Sifrit.|date=2003-06-03|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/2241520/detail.html}}</ref> On June 11, she was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Joshua Ford and second-degree murder in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was later sentenced to life plus 25 years on August 14, 2003.<ref name="Barker"/><ref name="Erika Sifrit"/>
Erika Sifrit's trial started on June 3, 2003.<ref name="Double">{{cite news|title=Double Murder Trial Begins for Erika Sifrit.|date=June 3, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/r/2241520/detail.html}}</ref> On June 11, she was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Joshua Ford and second-degree murder in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was later sentenced to life plus 25 years on August 14, 2003.<ref name="Barker"/><ref name="Erika Sifrit"/>


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
In March 2010, BJ filed for divorce, which was later granted in August 2010.<ref name="Augenstein">{{cite news|author=Neil Augenstein|title=Court officer changes mind, OKs Sifrit divorce.|date=2010-08-12|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.wtop.com/?nid=&sid=2026380}}</ref>
In March 2010, Benjamin Sifrit filed for divorce, which was later granted in August 2010.<ref name="Augenstein"/>


Both Sifrits have filed numerous appeals, all which have failed. BJ exhausted his last appeal in 2010.<ref name="Lash">{{cite news|author=Steve Lash|title=B. Sifrit shifts attack on murder conviction from state court in Md.|year=2010|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080905/ai_n28085165/?tag=mantle_skin;content|work=The Daily Record}}</ref> In July 2009, a book entitled "Cruel Death," written by [[M. William Phelps]], was released about the case.<ref name="Powell">{{cite news|author=Nancy Powell|title=Story of infamous '02 resort murder now told in book.|date=2009=07-10|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2009-07-10/news/025.html}}</ref>
Both Sifrits have filed numerous appeals, all which have failed. Benjamin Sifrit exhausted his last appeal in 2010.<ref name="Lash">{{cite news|author=Steve Lash|title=B. Sifrit shifts attack on murder conviction from state court in Md.|year=2010|accessdate=June 1, 2011|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080905/ai_n28085165/?tag=mantle_skin;content|work=The Daily Record}}</ref> He will be eligible for parole in 2021.


Erika Sifrit is now asking a federal court for a new trial claiming ineffectiveness of counsel.<ref name="A">{{cite news|author=Neal Augenstein|title=Erika Sifrit cites lawyer failure, seeks new trial.|date=2012=04-01|accessdate=2012=04-02|url=http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2809735.html
Erika Sifrit is now asking a federal court for a new trial claiming ineffectiveness of counsel.<ref name="A">{{cite news|author=Neal Augenstein|title=Erika Sifrit cites lawyer failure, seeks new trial.|date=April 1, 2012|accessdate=April 2, 2012|url=http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2809735.html
}}</ref> She will be eligible for parole in 2024.
}}</ref>


==In popular culture==
Erika Sifrit will be eligible for parole in 2024. BJ Sifrit will be eligible for parole in 2021.
⚫
The Sifrit case has been profiled on ''[[American Justice]]'', ''[[Deadly Women]]'', ''[[Forensic Files]]'', ''[[Sins and Secrets]]'', and ''[[Snapped]]''.


In July 2009, a book entitled ''Cruel Death'', written by [[M. William Phelps]], was released about the case.<ref name="Powell">{{cite news|author=Nancy Powell|title=Story of infamous '02 resort murder now told in book.|date=July 10, 2009|accessdate=2011-06-01|url=http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2009-07-10/news/025.html}}</ref>
⚫
This case has been profiled on [[American Justice]], [[Deadly Women]], [[Forensic Files]], [[Sins and Secrets]], and [[Snapped]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:35, 15 December 2013

Erika Sifrit
Born
Erika Elaine Grace

(1978-02-03) February 3, 1978 (age 46)
Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Criminal statusIncarcerated at Patuxent Institution
Spouse
Benjamin Sifrit
​
​
(m. 1998; div. 2010)​
Criminal chargeFirst-degree murder, second-degree murder
PenaltyLife plus 25 years
Details
Victims2
DateMay 25, 2002
CountryUnited States
State(s)Maryland
KilledJoshua Ford
Martha "Geney" Crutchley
Date apprehended
May 31, 2002
Benjamin Sifrit
Born
Benjamin Adam Sifrit

(1977-10-21) October 21, 1977 (age 47)
Estherville, Iowa, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesB.J. Sifrit
Criminal statusIncarcerated at North Branch Correctional Institution
Spouse
Erika Sifrit
​
​
(m. 1998; div. 2010)​
Criminal chargeSecond-degree murder, first-degree assault
Penalty38 years
Details
Victims1
DateMay 25, 2002
CountryUnited States
State(s)Maryland
KilledMartha "Geney" Crutchley
Date apprehended
May 31, 2002

Erika Elaine Sifrit (nee Grace; born February 3, 1978) and Benjamin Adam Sifrit (born October 21, 1977) are an American couple who gained notoriety in 2002 for the murders of Joshua Ford, 32, and Martha "Geney" Crutchley, 51, over Memorial Day weekend in Ocean City, Maryland. In 2003, both Sifrits were convicted of the murders.

Benjamin Sifrit is currently serving 38 years at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland, while Erika Sifrit is serving a life sentence plus 20 years at the Patuxent Institution in Jessup, Maryland.[1][2] The Sifrits divorced in 2010.[3]

Early lives

Erika Elaine Grace was born in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania to Charlotte Gail "Cookie" (née Klotz) and Gerald Mitchell Grace. Benjamin Adam "BJ" Sifrit was born in Estherville, Iowa to Elizabeth Ann "Buffie" (née Graves) and Craig Arthur Sifrit. Erika Grace and Benjamin Sifrit married in 1998, when they were both 20 years old. She was an honors student and basketball star at Mary Washington College, and he was a former Navy SEAL. Shortly after marrying, the couple moved near Erika's hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania. There, the couple opened and operated a scrapbook store.[4]

Murders

On May 25, 2002, the Sifrits, both 24 at the time, met another couple, Joshua Ford and Martha Margene "Geney" Crutchley, a mortgage banker and insurance executive from Alexandria, Virginia, respectively, who were on vacation. After a night of partying together at the Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City Maryland, the couple went back to the Sifrits' condominium. According to records, the Sifrits claimed that Ford and Crutchley stole Erika's purse, and Benjamin pulled a gun on the couple. After retreating to the bathroom, Ford was shot four times with Benjamin Sifrit's gun and killed. Crutchley was also killed; investigators believe that she was stabbed, but the official cause of death could not be determined from her remains. The bodies were then dismembered and disposed of in a grocery store dumpster in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The remains were transferred to a nearby landfill, where they were recovered by searchers nine days later.[4]

Arrests and trials

Erika and Benjamin Sifrit were arrested on May 31, 2002, but not for murder: the couple were caught robbing a Hooters store. When police searched Erika Sifrit's purse, they uncovered the licenses of Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley, who at that point had been reported missing for days. Erika confessed to murdering the couple shortly after her apprehension, but claimed the idea was her husband's.[4]

Because of the heavy publicity of the case, the Sifrits' trials were moved out of Worcester County, Maryland. Benjamin's trial was held in Rockville, Maryland and Erika's was held in Frederick.[5]

Benjamin Sifrit was the first to go to trial in March 2003. At the trial, a 22 year-old woman named Melissa Seling testified that she had almost become the Sifrits' next victim. On the stand, she told jurors that she was subjected to the same ritual that Joshua and Martha endured, although she was able to avoid being killed.[4] On April 9, 2003, Benjamin Sifrit was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was acquitted of all charges in the death of Joshua Ford.[5] He was later sentenced to 38 years in prison on July 7, 2003.[6][7]

Erika Sifrit's trial started on June 3, 2003.[8] On June 11, she was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Joshua Ford and second-degree murder in the death of Martha Crutchley, and was later sentenced to life plus 25 years on August 14, 2003.[6][7]

Aftermath

In March 2010, Benjamin Sifrit filed for divorce, which was later granted in August 2010.[3]

Both Sifrits have filed numerous appeals, all which have failed. Benjamin Sifrit exhausted his last appeal in 2010.[9] He will be eligible for parole in 2021.

Erika Sifrit is now asking a federal court for a new trial claiming ineffectiveness of counsel.[10] She will be eligible for parole in 2024.

The Sifrit case has been profiled on American Justice, Deadly Women, Forensic Files, Sins and Secrets, and Snapped.

In July 2009, a book entitled Cruel Death, written by M. William Phelps, was released about the case.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Maryland DOC Inmate Locator". dpscs.state.md.us.
  2. ^ "Maryland DOC Inmate Locator". dpscs.state.md.us.
  3. ^ a b Neil Augenstein (August 12, 2010). "Court officer changes mind, OKs Sifrit divorce". Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Bill Hewitt (June 9, 2003). "Thrill Killers?". Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Jury Reaches Verdict in Sifrit Case". April 10, 2003. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Jeff Barker (June 11, 2003). "Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing". Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Erika Sifrit Describes O.C. Tourist Murders". September 2, 2004. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  8. ^ "Double Murder Trial Begins for Erika Sifrit". June 3, 2003. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  9. ^ Steve Lash (2010). "B. Sifrit shifts attack on murder conviction from state court in Md". The Daily Record. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  10. ^ Neal Augenstein (April 1, 2012). "Erika Sifrit cites lawyer failure, seeks new trial". Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  11. ^ Nancy Powell (July 10, 2009). "Story of infamous '02 resort murder now told in book". Retrieved 2011-06-01.
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