Steven Benson (murderer)
Steven Benson | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | July 3, 2015 | (aged 63)
Criminal status | Deceased |
Spouse(s) |
Nancy Ferguson
(m. 1972; div. 1979)Debra Franks Larsen Benson
(m. 1980; div. 1993) |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Margaret Benson (Deceased) Edward Benson (Deceased) |
Conviction(s) | First degree murder, attempted first degree murder, arson of a dwelling |
Criminal penalty | Two life sentences |
Details | |
Victims | 3 |
Date | July 9, 1985 Between 9:17 and 9:20 a.m. |
Country | United States |
State(s) | Florida |
Location(s) | Quail Creek, Naples |
Target(s) | Margaret Benson (mother) |
Killed | 2 |
Injured | Carol Lynn Benson Kendall |
Weapons | Pipe bombs |
Date apprehended | August 22, 1985 |
Imprisoned at | Taylor Correctional Institution |
Steven Wayne Benson[1] (July 26, 1951 – July 3, 2015) was an American convicted double murderer of his mother, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson; and his brother (actually his nephew but later adopted), tennis player Scott Benson.[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.) He was born in 1951 in Baltimore.[3]
On July 9, 1985 Benson placed a car bomb on the family car, in which Margaret, Scott, and Steven's sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall (a former Miss Florida runner-up), were waiting for Benson to join them in the vehicle when the Chevrolet Suburban exploded.[4] Kendall survived but was badly burned; Margaret and Scott died instantly from the bomb impact. Represented by attorney Michael McDonnell, Steven Benson was ultimately convicted of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, arson of a dwelling.[5] He avoided the death penalty, and was sentenced to two life terms in prison.[6][7] Over the course of his sentence, Benson was transferred to various prisons because of constant threats and abuse from other inmates.[8]
Benson died at Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry, Florida of a stab wound to the head with a homemade knife on July 3, 2015.[9][10][11]
In media
Dominick Dunne's investigative crime show Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice devoted an hour for the case of Steven Benson.[12] Benson is also featured in an episode of the New Detectives entitled "Short Fuse" (Season 2, Episode 3).[citation needed] In addition, the Benson Family murder case was the subject of The Serpent's Tooth, a 1987 book by Christopher Andersen.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Inmate Population Information Detail - Steven Benson". Florida Department of Corrections. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Crimes of the Riches". The New York Times. September 13, 1987.
- ^ Aten, Tim. "In the Know: Is that Benson guy still in prison? » Naples Daily News". Naplesnews.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Car Bomb Victim Was Son, Not Brother, Heiress Says". latimes. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "`Heated Discussions` By Slain Heiress Told". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Anniversary recalls notorious crime". Marco Eagle. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Benson Guilty Of Murders `He Doesn'T Believe It,' Lawyer Says". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- ^ "Anniversary recalls notorious crime » Marco Eagle". Marconews.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- ^ "Naples killer Steven Benson who sought $10 million family fortune dies in jail with $30 to his name". NPDN. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Man who blew up his tobacco heiress mother and brother dies in Florida prison". LancasterOnline. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Steven Benson died of a stab wound to the head in Florida jail". Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
- ^ "Court TV to air Benson story tonight". Highbeam.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- 1951 births
- 2015 deaths
- American arsonists
- American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment
- American people convicted of attempted murder
- American people convicted of murder
- American people who died in prison custody
- Deaths by stabbing in Florida
- Matricides
- People convicted of murder by Florida
- People from Naples, Florida
- Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Florida
- Prisoners who died in Florida detention
- Wealth in the United States