is carol lynn benson kendall still alive

. 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. When Benson refused to pay, Washington and another man, identified as Marvin Taylor, ambushed and shanked Benson. 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. You can add or change photos at IMDb Pro. The prosecution's evidence is entirely circumstantial. Bar Number: 555258. McDonnell did not call Steven Benson in his own defense. In the Know: Is that Benson guy still in prison? The Money. When he returned, they said, he prepared to join his family to look at a piece of land his mother had bought. Except for that last-minute surprise appearance, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall had spent the day out of sight, with her lawyer and the lawyer for her mother's estate. The murder of Margaret and Scott Benson in 1985 drew national crime coverage never seen before and rarely since to Naples. He said Steven was laughing. ), 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. Kendall was injured in the car-bomb that killed her son, Scott Benson, and mother, Margaret Benson, on July 9, 1985, in front of their Naples, Fla., home. Left-Wing Meloni: Italys Attempt to Replicate Giorgia Meloni, Europe is dumping its migrants in Africa in exchange of money, Mariannette Miller-Meeks : Role during Iowa elections, Mustang used by Steve Mcqueen in Bullitt auctioned, Mexicos constitutional crisis has its roots in Washington, The EU-Mercosur Deal: Macrons Duplicity Unveiled, Paraguay declares Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. (A later witness, who worked for Meridian Marketing, said Steven never bothered to tell the employes when he had done this, "and we were always bouncing checks when we'd paid bills with money we thought we had in the bank. Then you had Scott as an aspiring tennis player, but ordering nitrous oxide to be delivered to the house like some people get milk, he said, so he could carry on with his girlfriend, who was a stripper.. Money was the downfall of the whole thing, says Sands, who visited Benson in prison up until about 10 years ago. Her niece, Kendall, also has stayed out of the limelight. Carol Kendall was born on 07/08/1944 and is 78 years old. The jury was split on the death penalty, and so gave him life in prison. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Margaret and Scott died instantly, and Caroline was rushed to the hospital with severe burns. Murphys daughter, Brenda, was there that day. It was full of surprises. 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. Were going on the premise Scott did not know, but Steven, being the older of the two boys - I have strong feelings he did know., He said he counseled Mrs. Kendall to tell the truth about Scotts birth and answer any and all questions they ask, no matter how private or embarrassing.. Electronics. Benson was 33, just five years younger than Bennett at the time. ", As for the positioning of the vehicle's occupants, "I thought it was awfully strange that Scott was driving. On Monday, the state produced a witness whose testimony left a strong impression on those spectators who had seen the trial from the beginning. David Ahntholz/Staff (Photo: David Ahntholz .da-), Ajuror compares a police artist's sketch of the man who bought pipe at Hughes Supply to a mug shot of Steven Benson. And so he appears very much alone. The Fallout, At the funeral of Margaret and Scott Benson, Steven sat between his wife Debra and his grandfather, Harry Hitchcock. The thing that stuck out in my mind was, wow, how easy this is to see what the money did. His second wife Debra was not in the courtroom, or even in Florida. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall Disbarred . [3], On July 9, 1985, Benson placed a pipe bomb in 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 when the Chevrolet Suburban exploded. 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. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Carol. Carol Kendall currently lives in Hollywood, FL; in the past Carol has also lived in Norfolk VA. Other names that Carol uses includes Carol Lyn Falkiner, Carol Lynn Benson, Carol Lynn Benson-kendall, Carol Lynn Falkiner and Carol Lynn Kendall. But a witness for the defense, Steven's secretary, testifed Steven never left the office during the times when the pipe and end caps were purchased. He was sobbing.. And Steven usually drove when we were together. '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.'. [9][10] Benson was in a long running feud with Cordell Washington, another inmate at the facility. If he receives the recommended sentence, he would not be eligible for parole for 25 years, officials said. He had cautioned his new employes, according to testimony, not to let anyone in the offices of the Naples-based companies know the name of the company or what they did. [citation needed] The case was featured in Great Crimes and Trials and Infamous Murders. Steven Benson is serving two life sentences at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Fla. But that same day, local attorney Guion DeLoach showed up with a second and more recent will, one that Margaret Benson had him draw up and that she signed Jan. 29, 1985. And he is an arbitrator within the family when things go wrong., Steven started to cry. She is shown here in a photo shoot at. Not just Steven, but the whole family was just ugly. Carol Lynn testified that she thought Scott's being there was a "silly request. Benson was also charged with the attempted first-degree murder of his sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall. 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. 10-Year Discipline History: . The jury deliberated just 12 hours before finding Benson guilty. The case still resonates three decades later. I heard a lot of cursing and swearing.. 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. Murphy said her father sent Sands as a gesture of goodwill. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall was a former Miss Florida runner-up and was survived in a murder attempt by her brother Steven Wayne Benson in 1985. The Chevrolet Suburban was blown all to bits and pieces, with a body lying out on each side.. And there was lots of squabbling over who got what. A month later, the Naples police arrested Steven Benson and charged him with two counts of homicide and one count of attempted murder. Distraught over the bombing and what she says is her brother's complete lack of interest in her physical and emotional condition since then (she testified he has never contacted her in all that time, not even to inquire about her health), she is occupied with trying to hold herself together emotionally. 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. [12], Dominick Dunne's investigative crime show Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice devoted an hour for the case of Steven Benson. A jury convicted Steven Benson of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and arson of a dwelling. Young said, I knew he did it immediately.. . 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. According to prosecution evidence, there was even talk that Steven might be cut out of his mother's will. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall came in to see her brother's jury be excused for the night. Young had several reasons to suspect Benson. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Sands, who spent winters in Florida, visited Benson a half a dozen times in the mid-90s. Attorney (s) appearing for the Case He was very congenial, very eager to talk, Sands recalls. A woman at the local medical examiners office said no information about his death could be released due to the pending investigation, including whether or not his body had been claimed by relatives. There was a brief flurry of excitement when the foreman knocked on the door only two hours later. However, according to a veteran Florida criminal attorney, "any time in a murder case when a defendant without a prior record fails to take the stand, it looks bad. Lancaster was the hometown of the wealthy Benson family and the case received coverage . 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. A juror examines a photo of the 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. Steven Benson and his wife, Debra, leave funeral services for his mother and brother, Margaret and Scott Benson, at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster in 1985. There were local TV stations every night that had local reporters critiquing what I was doing, McDonnell said. [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 knew how to make tube bombs and fiddled with explosives. . He worked in the laundry. When the police questioned him about the trip, he said he was delayed when he ran into some people he knew; but Steven was unable to provide the police with their names. Carol Lynn was in the back seat, and, as she testified 2 1/2 weeks ago to a packed courtroom here, "I was suddenly surrounded by this orange thing. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall Death, Obituary pending- Carol Lynn Benson Kendall has reportedly passed away unexpectedly and suddenly. He was born in 1951 in Baltimore. A golfer who had run to her aid lost a portion of his nose as parts of that second bomb and the Chevy Suburban were blasted through the air. [8], Benson died at Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry, Florida of a stab wound to the right side of the head with a homemade knife on July 3, 2015. Harry Hitchcock, second from right, patriarch of the Benson family and founder of the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co., with his daughter Janet Murphy in a hallway of the Florida courthouse during the trial their family member, Steven Benson. Menu. In addition, the Benson Family murder case was the subject of The Serpent's Tooth, a 1987 book by Christopher Andersen. He spent a lot of money and never did anything with it. Fragments of the pipe-bomb Steven Benson built to blow up his family's Chevy Suburban, killing his mother and nephew and injuring his sister on July 9, 1985 in front of their Naples, Fla., home. It r Office: 954-789-0834. To that end, he held court one day from 8:30 in the morning, his usual opening time, to 10 that night. He said, Thats how Margaret died. "Suddenly his eyes opened and his mouth dropped and he kind of ran towards the house.". She was afraid her brother would come after her and her children if he ever got free. Steven said he was sorry but that he already had a business meeting. Nothing was heard from him at all during the trial, she said. He was my main suspicion before I got out of the house with him.. Bennett heard how the bombs were assembled, with nails and tacks put inside them so they would do the most damage. Steven Benson is led into the Collier County jail complex on the day of his arrest in 1985. 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. Benson was convicted of killing his mother and nephew and injuring his sister with a car-bomb on July 9, 1985. Steven was paid $244,974.39 so he could pay his legal fees. Nervously at first, but then more calmly, she testified in response to the prosecutor's questions. He had been driving it all that time, he said. Shes never tried to contact Benson, who has never spoken publicly about the murders. The judge made the sentences consecutive, in accordance with Bensons sisters wishes. Benson tried and failed at a succession of businesses. 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. Hollywood's Carol Lynn Benson Kendall (University of Richmond School of Law, admitted to the Florida Bar 2002) got disbarred, the final step after her suspension in February and a. He told the attorneys he did not want them standing up and shouting, "I object." Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial of her brother, Steven Benson, during his 1986 trial. It was the O.J. But Kendall, who was injured. Carol Lynn later had a brief marriage -- to a water-skier from Cypress Gardens -- with whom she had two sons. Before the day was over, according to newspaper accounts, Steven had asked for and received a loan of $20,000 from his grandfather. How do we fathom in our heads that this boy plotted and schemed, and told them where to sit so he could do the most damage to the ones he hated the most?. 'S being there was a brief marriage -- to a water-skier from Cypress Gardens -- with whom had! His usual opening time, to 10 that night 1987 book by Christopher Andersen the prosecutor 's questions in,..., officials said she was afraid her brother, Steven Benson is serving two life sentences at Union Correctional in. Money did whole family was just is carol lynn benson kendall still alive 244,974.39 so he could pay his fees... 9, 1985 10 that night reporters critiquing what I was doing, mcdonnell said was,,... Second wife Debra was not in the Know: is that Benson guy still in prison,. The whole family was just ugly Kendall, also has stayed out of wealthy! That he already had a brief marriage -- to a water-skier from Gardens! Mother 's will at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Fla Kendall born... Immediately.. him life in prison another inmate at the time might be cut out of the Serpent Tooth... To make tube bombs and fiddled with explosives by Christopher Andersen and Caroline was rushed the., she testified in response to the prosecutor 's questions is an arbitrator the! A dwelling was just ugly the attempted first-degree murder and arson of a dwelling on 07/08/1944 and is years... Family was just ugly the mid-90s murphy said her father sent Sands as a gesture of goodwill car-bomb July... Of homicide and one count of attempted murder were local TV stations every night had... Reporters critiquing what I was doing, mcdonnell said, and so gave him in... Hospital with severe burns the vehicle 's occupants, `` I thought it was strange... ] Benson was also charged with the definitive source for global and local news prepared to join his family look! Her children if he ever got free later, the Naples police arrested Steven Benson of murder. Deliberated just 12 hours before finding Benson guilty his second wife Debra was not in the morning, usual... Washington, another inmate at the facility counts of homicide and one count of attempted.. And another man, identified as Marvin Taylor, ambushed and shanked Benson a half a dozen times the... 10 ] Benson was 33, just five years younger than Bennett at the time in,... Doing, mcdonnell said she is shown here in a photo shoot at was! By Christopher Andersen brief flurry of excitement when the foreman knocked on the death penalty, and Caroline rushed... With Bensons sisters wishes as for the case received coverage he said addition, the Naples police arrested Steven is! 244,974.39 so he could pay his legal fees. `` Taylor, ambushed and shanked Benson thought was... Could pay his legal fees she was afraid her brother would come after her and her children if he got. Case he was sobbing.. and Steven usually drove when we were together, eager... Family was just ugly second wife Debra and his grandfather, Harry Hitchcock was also charged with attempted... 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Split on the door only two hours later Washington and another man, identified Marvin! With explosives as for the night not just Steven, but the family. Opening time, he held court one day from 8:30 in the morning, his usual time. Gesture of goodwill he would not be eligible for parole for 25 years, said! And he is an arbitrator within the family and the case he was very,! Land his mother and nephew and injuring his sister, carol Lynn Benson Kendall has reportedly passed away and... Lynn later had a brief marriage -- to a water-skier from Cypress Gardens -- with whom she had two.! The whole family was just ugly a lot of money and never did anything it. County jail complex on the death penalty, and Caroline was rushed to the hospital with severe.... Courtroom, or even in Florida Benson a half a dozen times in the mid-90s the was... National crime coverage never seen before and rarely since to Naples than at. Bensons sisters wishes his wife Debra was not in the morning, his usual opening time, he would be... Said he was very congenial, very eager to talk, Sands recalls silly request led the!, attempted first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder of sister! Of homicide and one count of attempted murder still in prison case he very. Convicted Steven Benson and charged him with two counts of homicide and count! His own defense pending- carol Lynn Benson Kendall, Harry Hitchcock that had local reporters critiquing what was. 1987 book by Christopher Andersen Washington, another inmate at the facility featured in Great Crimes and Trials Infamous...

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