Steven Benson (murderer)

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Steven Benson (murderer)

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Steven Benson
DOC Mugshot
Born	(1951-07-26) July 26, 1951 (age 60) Florida, United States
Conviction(s)	first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, arson of a dwelling
Penalty	Life sentence
Status	Incarcerated at Hardee Correctional Institution
Parents	Margaret Benson

Steven Wayne Benson^[1] (born July 26, 1951)^[2][3] is a convicted double murderer of his mother, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson; and his brother (actually his nephew but later adopted), tennis player Scott Benson.^[4] (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.)

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 Steven to join them in the vehicle when the Suburban exploded. Kendall survived but was badly burned; Margaret and Scott died instantly from the bomb impact.^[5] Represented by attorney Michael McDonnell, Steven Benson was ultimately convicted of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, arson of a dwelling. He avoided the death penalty, and was sentenced to life in prison.^[6][7] Benson has been transferred to different prisons during his time, because of constant threats and abuse from other prisoners. Because of the murder, Benson was attacked by other prisoners while serving his sentence in prison.^[8]

[edit] In media

Dominick Dunne's investigative crime show Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice devoted an hour for the case of Steven Benson.^[9]

There has been more than one book related to the crime and celebrity of the family. BLOOD RELATIONS By John Greenya. Illustrated. 358 pp. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, MONEY TO BURN The True Story of the Benson Family Murders. By Michael Mewshaw. Illustrated. 406 pp. New York: Atheneum, THE SERPENT'S TOOTH By Christopher P. Andersen. Illustrated. 246 pp. New York: Harper & Row.