Acquittal Bid Denied in Tobacco Heir Trial
Circuit Judge Hugh D. Hayes denied a defense motion for acquittal Friday in the trial of tobacco heir Steven Wayne Benson, who is accused of planting pipe bombs that killed his mother and brother.
Defense lawyer Michael McDonnell asked for the directed verdict after the prosecution abruptly rested its case without returning Benson’s wounded sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall, to the stand.
McDonnell argued that the state’s case was built on inconsistent circumstantial evidence. The defense was scheduled to begin its case today.
Benson, who turns 35 today, is accused of planting two pipe bombs in his family’s van on July 9, 1985, killing his mother, Margaret, 63, and her adopted son, Steven, 21, Kendall’s illegitimate child. Kendall, 43, was injured in the blast.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
