Ex-cop Otto Lenke convicted of first-degree murder and arson in Fort Pierce shop killing

A Florida jury found former officer Otto Lenke guilty of murdering Richard Benson at his Fort Pierce motorcycle shop in 2021. Death penalty proceedings are set for May 18.

Former Florida officer found guilty of shooting and burning shop owner to death

A jury in St. Lucie County, Florida found former police officer and firefighter Otto Lenke guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree arson on Friday afternoon, jamaica-star.com reports. Deliberations began at 10:08 a.m. and the verdict was returned at 12:53 p.m.

Lenke showed no visible reaction as Criminal Court Clerk Alexandria Buhr read the verdicts aloud. Several people embraced outside the courtroom moments after the announcement.

"I think it's perfect. It's what happened and they got the right guy," said Robert Kinter, a friend of the murder victim.

Lenke was charged in the 2021 killing of Richard Benson inside Benson's motorcycle repair shop, Fast Frank's Custom Cycle Components, in Fort Pierce. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Surveillance footage shown to jury

On Thursday, jurors were shown surveillance video that prosecutors described as among the most critical evidence in the case. The footage captured the attack inside the repair shop.

Prosecutors say the video shows a man wearing a motorcycle helmet shooting Benson three times, then pouring a flammable liquid on him and setting him on fire.

"I mean, how could a person do something like that?" Robert Kinter said after the verdicts were announced. Brenda Kinter, also a friend of the victim, echoed the reaction: "This man — I don't know how a person could do what he did."

Closing arguments

During closing arguments Friday morning, Assistant State Attorney Brandon White told jurors the evidence clearly supported a conviction. "The defense wants you to walk him out that door. That's not what the evidence supports and that's not what the law supports," White said.

White urged jurors to apply common sense: "By now, after you've heard all the evidence, you should have that abiding conviction of guilt."

On Thursday, prosecutors argued the killing was designed to cause "as much fear and pain" as possible, and identified Lenke as the person visible in the surveillance footage.

Defence maintained innocence

The defence team challenged the state's case throughout the trial, arguing it had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

"The state wants you to believe that they got the right guy. Not only is Otto presumed not guilty, he is in fact not guilty," defence attorney Valerie Masters said during Thursday's proceedings.

Lenke did not testify on his own behalf. He had previously told detectives he was not in Fort Pierce on the day of the killing and said he did not know Benson.

Death penalty phase scheduled

Jurors are set to return to court on May 18 for the penalty phase, during which they will hear additional testimony and make a recommendation on whether Lenke should be sentenced to death. The final decision rests with the judge, who may accept or reject the jury's recommendation.

Prosecutors and defence attorneys declined to comment outside the courtroom following the guilty verdicts.

Brenda Kinter, for her part, acknowledged the weight of the outcome: "It's a terrible thing to say that you're happy that someone's going to lose their life — but he did something horrific."

Source: Google News JM — Crime