"I thought I was being electrocuted. In 2002, TV legend Carol Burnett 's life was forever changed when her youngest daughter Carrie Hamilton, 38, died of cancer that had started . The details surrounding Benson's violent death in prison add a new level of intrigue to one of the most notorious crimes of its time. Jerry was a master at that. Set off from major roads and encircled by a 20-foot canal, Quail Creek is among the newest and most expensive sanctuaries in the Naples area, a lushly landscaped subdivision of about 50 homes. Besides taking on their defense, Berry talked to clients about their personal situations, how to overcome substance abuse or how to get care for a mental health illness that could mean a new life, colleagues said. 82, 492 A.2d 401 (1985). Historically, less than 5 percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1987 Press Photo Carol Munch and sister, Joan Benevento at JFK Airport at the best online prices at eBay! And you can find Douglas Lynn Becker at Benson, AZ 85602 now. Elton John. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Further, McCray shall pay, of $1,500 to one client. Steven Benson died of a stab wound to the head in Florida jail, By opting into newsletters you are agreeing to our. The murder occurred at the Benson's Florida home in Naples. Steven Bensons trial is scheduled to begin in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 13. In view of this interpretive standard, we are constrained to conclude that the trial court did not err in sustaining the Trustees' Preliminary Objections and dismissing Kendall's Exceptions to the Adjudication since the trustees properly added the one-half principal of Scott's trust to Kendall's trust as the language of the trust instrument provided. Margaret Benson and Scott Benson were murdered by Steven Benson who was subsequently convicted of their murders in a criminal trial in which Judge Hayes also presided. memorial page for Margaret Virginia Hitchcock Benson (6 Jan 1922-9 Jul 1985), Find a Grave Memorial ID 81623836, citing Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster . Killed in the July 9, 1985, blast were Benson's mother, Margaret, 63, heir to the Lancaster (Pa.) Leaf Tobacco Co. fortune, and her adopted son, Scott, 21, an aspiring tennis pro. In addition, we may not discard carefully worded language in a trust instrument as meaningless surplusage in construing the trust. They soon developed a theory that the attack may have beenrelated to Scott's drug use. They have also lived in Mound, MN and Shakopee, MN. The principal piece of evidence in the case -- the virtually indistinguishable Chevrolet wagon -- was moved Wednesday to an undisclosed building closer to the sheriff's office at the County Courthouse, Mills said. Margaret and Scott were killed instantly, while Caroline was rushed to the hospital with severe burn injuries. Reached Friday about her brother's death, she. They lived in the same apartment complex and met when her mother, an elementary school teacher, was walking her dog. Kendall's mother and son, Scott, were killed. In another case, Binns was found guilty of neglecting a client matter, failing to provide trust account records, and commingling funds. Kathy Lynn Benson of Valley . . For more on this case and others like it, watch. From 1981 to 1984, Berry worked in the state attorneys office in Naples before going into private practice. In 2016, the American College of Trial Attorneys selected Berry to join the invitation-only ranks of attorneys, and he joined the groups equally exclusive honor society. 1987 Dominick Dunne's investigative crime show Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice devoted an hour for the case of Steven Benson. He never forgot his own upbringing; his father, Grady Berry, was a postal worker, and his mother, Pauline Berry, a store clerk. unless there's something we don't know about.". Margaret Benson and her adopted son, Scott Benson, 21, died in the July 9, 1985 pipe bombing that her son, Steven Benson, 35, is accused of setting outside the family's Naples estate. Steven was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison. But some investigator said it was a bomb, set off by remote control.". He went to a nearby emergency room and came to Nashville, where she lives, where he was diagnosed with cancer, she said. This paragraph also contains the proviso that: Kendall has conceded that she has principal held in trust pursuant to this trust instrument. Crisp Realty Co., 65 So.2d 765 (Fla. 1953). Plans called for 1880 multi-family units, 470 single-family homes, a 10-acre commercial site, and an 18-hole. The extended Benson family is still reeling from his cruel and vicious attack on his own mother and siblings. Police now had their number one suspect: Steven Benson. SC17-960), effective immediately, following a Sept. 14 court order. He will be eligible for parole when he is 85. The murder occurred at the Benson's Florida home in Naples. Whereas Scott Benson got everything he wanted and had to do nothing in return, Margaret Benson kept a tighter rein on Kendall's purse strings. Carol Lynn Kendall testifies during the trial of her brother, Steven Benson, during his 1986 trial. He'd just walk away," said the maid, Ruby Caston. For one thing, Debbie Benson forbade Margaret Benson from seeing her grandchildren. It is absolutely part of Jerrys legacy that we now have multiple courts that exist to treat the illnesses that drive so much criminal conduct, and offer people a way to get help, get out of the system, return to their families, and lead productive lives, Martin said. Located in Ontario's scenic Niagara region on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, Brock is situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. While his mother, sister and brother often vented their anger and frustration at each other by yelling, screaming, arguing and fighting, family employees testified, Steven Benson "never seemed to get mad. Jerry set that tone daily, Martin said. Carol Martin, R Fabes. 2. You wouldn't expect something like that to happen to somebody like that . Published on May 2, 2018 09:30 AM. for three years, effective immediately, following a Sept. 13 court order. Benson died at Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry, Florida of a stab wound to the head with a homemade knife on July 3, 2015. Described as quiet and low-key, the 63-year-old tobacco heiress and her son were killed Tuesday morning when two pipe bombs exploded as they sat in the front seat of a four-wheel drive Chevrolet Suburban wagon registered to Mrs. Benson. Collier County Judge Janeice Martin, a former law partner, said Berrys presence will continue to be felt throughout courtrooms indefinitely. Steven was a match and on the receipt, a partial thumbprint was discovered. Please enable JavaScript to properly view our site. According to McCormick, Kendall had raised her boys in the family tradition. Our standard of review from a final order of the Orphans' Court Division requires that we accord the findings of an Orphans' Court, sitting without a jury, the same weight and effect as the verdict of a jury; we will not disturb those findings absent manifest error; as an appellate court we can modify an Orphans' Court decree only if the findings upon which the decree rests are not supported by competent or adequate evidence or if there has been an error of law, an abuse of discretion, or a capricious disbelief of competent evidence. -- Scott Benson's natural mother and Margaret Benson's daughter -- got along better with her mother. Kendall actually was the mother of Scott Benson, who was later adopted by her own mother. The toxicology report came back negative. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with FindLaw's newsletter for legal professionals. He worked as a prosecutor in Lakeland where he met his future wife, Catherine Laich, who had gone to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, their daughter said. Carol Benson, taken to Naples Community Hospital, was expected to be transferred Wednesday to the burn center of Massachussetts General Hospital burn center in Boston. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., concur. Lived In West Jordan UT, Salt Lake City UT, Grantsville UT, Twentynine Palms CA. Steven was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison. It was all about making sure the person is getting a fair shake, especially in our area, Day said, referring to conservative Collier with its strong law and order mindset. "They were not the best-natured children. A break in the investigation came, though, when police spoke with Steven's high school friends. Venakides subsequently became a delinquent member of the Bar due to failure to complete continuing legal education requirements. Jerry Berry, a criminal defense attorney who took on many of the highest profile cases but never sought the limelight, died Jan. 31. . Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Authorities were shocked by the move, and of course, suspicious. Advertisement Later in his career, Berry was board chair for the Florida Innocence Project where he advocated tirelessly for the freedom of the wrongly imprisoned. From these equal trusts, once established, the children of the settlor during their lifetime were to receive the net income and an amount equal to 2% of the principal, to be determined at the formation of the individual trusts, quarterly. You are now the manager of this memorial. We only did criminal defense. He then ran back inside to get a tape measure. SC16-1970 & SC17-181), for one year, effective 30 days from an Oct. 5 court order. Kendall was retained by clients in two separate cases but failed to adequately represent them. Instead, Benson planted the bombs, prosecutors said. Daughter Carol Lynn Benson. Contrary to the argument of the trustees, the settlor provided a scheme of distribution that treated all of his children equally when all of his children were alive and equally when all of his children were dead. 229, 498 A.2d 374 (1985); Estate of Gilbert, 342 Pa.Super. Could have faced up to 10 years in prison on two felony-on-a-law-officer-charges. It s almost. But they show he had been transferred out of the Taylor Correctional Institution in Taylor County, Florida to Leon County, where there are at least four medical facilities. So many people considered Dad a mentor, his daughter, Taylor Berry, 38, said. They confirmed someone had bought that end cap type days before the explosion, and staff provided police with both a description of the person and a receipt. In the second matter, Kendall withdrew from representation, forcing the client to hire new counsel. Get this The Anniston Star page for free from Sunday, June 7, 1987 7, 1987 Bloody family saga continues to unfold t Urattstott VV Star 'Alabama's largest home-owned newspaper' m By DAN SEWELL . Steven Wayne Benson, who turned 35 Saturday, is on trial for murder in small-town Florida for the deaths of his mother and adoptive brother. "You'd figure nothing like that would ever happen out there," said Floyd Bleiweiss, an electrical contractor scheduled to do repair work today on a faulty steam bath in the Benson's home. Membership fees: A reported $22,000. SC16-1951), until further order, following a Sept. 19 court order. It was also a match for Steven. SC17-348), for 91 days, effective retroactive to Oct. 13, following an Oct. 26 court order. In re Kelsey's Estate, 393 Pa. 513, 143 A.2d 42 (1958). (Case Nos. February. He refused to admit his guilt, and a high-profile trial ensued. And it would have "that million-dollar look" Margaret Benson craved, Kerr testified. Berry nevertheless was respected by the government he went up against. His wife, Debbie Benson, who during the trial is staying with their three children in her hometown in Wisconsin, had her own rules. He is also charged with the attempted murder. Berry used Floridas 2005 Stand Your Ground Law. He never argued, never got angry. Benson was transferred at least 22 times while serving his sentence behind bars in Florida state jails. Access innovative tools, leverage advanced methods for marketing and stay on top of current trends from the National Association of REALTORS. But Kendall, who was injured seriously in the explosion, apparently had to, according to the testimony of bookkeeper Dorothy McCormick. Daina House. He worked his way through college and law school delivering pizzas and taking odd jobs. Oct. 4, 1985 12 AM PT. He could disagree without being disagreeable.. Notwithstanding that she had been advised by both the trustees and the court that she could not disclaim the principal, Kendall, appearing pro se, filed exceptions to the First and Final Account and the Adjudication of the Scott R. Benson Trust, arguing that she had validly disclaimed her one-half interest in the Scott R. Benson trust in favor of her sons. As the family was entering the vehicle, it exploded, causing a massive blast heard five miles away. . That she was once a beauty contest winner is easy to see. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. It was on a golf course in October 2021 at their family home in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he felt something was not right, his daughter said. But that illusion of blissful wealth was shattered in the mid-80s when a vehicle belonging to the wealthy Benson family went up in flames. We affirm. Support local journalism. Still, Steven Benson remained quiet. When he was president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he refused to relocate the annual meeting from New York City one month after the 9/11 attacks because we cannot let the bad guys win.. He believed everyone deserved a vigorous defense and was always on the lookout for prosecutorial abuses, Batten said. On August 22, 1985, Steven Benson was arrested for murdering Margaret Benson and Scott Benson and attempting to kill his sister. He attended Caseys basketball games at the University of the South where he was a starting player; he arrived at the Nashville hospital when his granddaughter was born, wearing the same trousers and tie worn earlier to his office. The Untold Truth Of Ralph Macchio's Wife - Phyllis Johnny Suh (NCT) Age, Height, Relationships, Net W Ella-Rae Smith's Biography: Parents, Measurements, What is Lil Meech doing now? Kendalls Boston attorney, E. Richard Cirace, said Scott Benson was born in 1965 in a Baltimore hospital and later adopted by Kendalls mother, Margaret Benson of Lancaster, Pa., heiress to the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co. fortune. "Her kids were spoiled," McCormick said. Mrs. Benson was the widow of Edward H. Benson, a chairman of the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co., of Lancaster, Pa., who died in 1980. The trustees established a trust for Kendall, a trust for Steven and a share for Scott. An aerial shot of the home is shown in the background. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Her daughter Carol Lynn, now 42, was seriously injured but escaped from the car moments before a second bomb blast. We had to preserve the scene because it was quite a large explosion. Leon County is where Benson actually died, according to the medical examiner's office. Caroline agreed to speak with the police. Steven Wayne Benson was an American double murderer of his mother, tobacco heiress Margaret Benson, and his brother, tennis player Scott Benson. Carol Benson, taken to Naples Community Hospital, was expected to be transferred Wednesday to the burn center of Massachussetts General Hospital burn center in Boston. There was an error processing your request. Carol moved to Preston, MN where she graduated from High School. On July 25, 1989, the trustees received a "disclaimer" signed by Kendall in which Carol Lynn Benson Kendall purported to disclaim her interest in the income, the 2% periodic payments and the principal of the Scott R. Benson Trust. Berry turned over the case to defense attorney Mike Hopkins after his cancer diagnosis. "When we heard about the blast," he said, "we thought it was caused by nitrous oxide, because Scott almost always had some of it with him. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, 2719 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 164, Hollywood, disbarred effective immediately, following a Sept. 22 court order. It is patent that the paternity claimant would have succeeded to Scott's trust. More:Medical Examiner says Benson was stabbed to death in prison. Steven Benson was taken into police custody Aug. 22, 1985, after being accused of blowing up his family in a Chevy Suburban in the driveway of their Naples, Fla., home July 9 of the same year. Caroline said that she did not want to talk to authorities as she was recovering in a Massachusetts burn ward. The email address cannot be subscribed. Two more Benson books are due out in June. SC17-227), for 90 days, effective 30 days from a Sept. 14 court order. Carol Benson (317 Found) - View Court & Arrest Records, Personal Reviews & Reputation Score. Steven, meanwhile, seemed to be in a state of shock after the blast and having lost his family, so investigators didn't want to push him too hard. On July 9, 1985, Margaret H. Benson, the settlor's spouse, and Scott R. Benson, the adopted son of the settlor, died. Carol Lynn Benson Kendall Obituary - Death, Cause Of Death, Funeral: Friends and others affected mourn the death of Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, has suddenly passed away.click to read and leave tributes. The trial was televised nationally and brought widespread attention to Naples. The Bar later discovered he had relocated to North Carolina and failed to update his address. 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