Career
Margaret Hitchcock Benson was heiress of the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company, Lancaster, Pa, and had no connection with Benson & Hedges brand cigarettes manufactured in the United States by Philip Morris) He was born in 1951 in Florida. 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 Mission 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.
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.
Benson was 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.
He died in prison on July 3, 2015.
Dominick Dunne"s investigative crime show Dominick Dunne"s Power, Privilege, and Justice devoted an hour for the case of Steven Benson. Benson is also featured in an episode of the New Detectives entitled "Short Fuse" (Season 2, Episode 3).
