GUILTY CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*

[faithx]

Bennett family murders: Verdict reached in hammer murder trial | 9news.com

"Following just over a week of testimony, an Arapahoe County jury of six men and six women found Alex Ewing guilty on all counts related to the January 1984 slaying of three members of the Bennett family inside their Aurora home."

 

[LR1]

Kevin Vaughan
@writerkev

BREAKING: Alex Christopher Ewing found guilty on all counts in the January 1984 hammer murders of Bruce and Debra Bennett and their daughter Melissa, 7. Verdict came after about 9 hours of deliberations. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years.

 

[Niner]

Thanks for the update! Good! Here is his sentencing date:


Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
8/17/21
1:30 PM 1Hr EWING, ALEX Sentencing Hearing D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 206

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

 

[Niner]

Going to post this so I can shorten it up a bit.

Friday, August 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT REACHED! (Arapahoe Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial started on 7/27/21. State rested their case on 8/3/21. Defense rested their case on 8/5/21. Jurors: 6 women & 6 men. Jurors deliberated for ~ 4 hours on 8/5/21 & 5 hours on 8/5/21 returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-7) 7/27/21 to 8/4/21 reference post #317 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
8/5/21 Thursday, Trial Day 8: Defense rested their case. DA John Kellner gave closing arguments for State & Stephen McCrohan gave closing for defense. And prosecutor Garrik Storgaard gave rebuttal closing. Jury went to deliberations. After several hours of deliberations the jury told the Judge they were at an impasse. The judge said it was too early to declare a mistrial & sent jurors home for the night. They will continue deliberations at 8:30am on Friday, 8/6/21.
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jurors deliberated for another 5 hours & returned with a verdict. Ewing found guilty on all counts. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Bennett family murders: Verdict reached in hammer murder trial


It's been a long time waiting': Connie Bennett sees justice 37 years after murder of 3 family members

 

[Betty P]

Such great news. Connie Bennett is an amazing woman. I'm glad the family has finally found justice. Much credit to Colorado prosecutors and LE. They're one of the most dedicated states for solving cold cases. They don't forget them.

Thanks, Niner, for keeping us up to date!

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, August 17th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Arapahoe Co) (@ 1:30pm MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial started on 7/27/21. State rested their case on 8/3/21. Defense rested their case on 8/5/21. Jurors: 6 women & 6 men. Jurors deliberated for ~ 4 hours on 8/5/21 & 5 hours on 8/5/21 returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-8) 7/27/21 to 8/5/21 reference post #324 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jurors deliberated for another 5 hours & returned with a verdict. Ewing found guilty on all counts. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

 

[SDFinColo]

Hammer attack suspect due back in court Tuesday for sentencing | 9news.com

He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.

 

[PrairieWind]

I was a kid when this happened and I remember it well. I never thought it would be solved. I am so glad justice was finally delivered.

 

[Niner]

Next for Patricia Smith's murder:

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
9/14/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

9/15/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

10/18/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

thru

11/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 51


link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Ewing was convicted for killing Bruce Bennett, 27, and Debra Bennett, 26, as well as their 7-year-old daughter Melissa, in Aurora. The couple’s other daughter, Vanessa, who was 3 at the time, was also beaten but survived with permanent injuries. Prosecutors alleged Ewing raped Melissa Bennett before killing her.

Vanessa Schultz spoke during the sentencing, saying that she has lost "so much happiness" in her life after the murder of her family and her long-term impacts.

"I didn’t just lose my parents and sister, I lost trust in people. I lost my dignity and my pride. I lost the person who I was supposed to bee. I lost my sanity. I look in the mirror every day at myself and I hate who I am. I hate what I have to go through and what I still go through," Schultz said. "I hope that he goes away forever."
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/ne...rora-hammer-killer-to-multiple-life-sentences

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Next for Patricia Smith's murder:

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
9/14/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

9/15/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

10/18/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

thru

11/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 51


link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

Ewing was also linked to the murder of Patricia Smith in Lakewood six days before the Bennetts were murdered, as well as to the attack of Donna Holm in Aurora, who survived her injuries.

In 2002, Colorado Bureau of Investigation investigators linked the DNA found at two of the three crime scenes. But it wasn’t until July 2018 that CBI investigators would discover a match just one day after Nevada prison officials put Ewing’s DNA into a database.


Ewing was also linked to the murder of Patricia Smith in Lakewood six days before the Bennetts were murdered, as well as to the attack of Donna Holm in Aurora, who survived her injuries.

Ewing was in prison in Nevada on attempted murder and burglary charges at the time the match was discovered. Warrants were issued for Ewing in 2018, and though he fought extradition to Colorado, the Nevada Supreme Court ultimately denied his motion in February 2020. He was extradited soon after.

Ewing still faces first-degree murder charges for the murder of Smith, and he is due in court in that case in mid-September. A trial is slated to start Oct. 18.
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/ne...rora-hammer-killer-to-multiple-life-sentences

 

[Betty P]

I was a kid when this happened and I remember it well. I never thought it would be solved. I am so glad justice was finally delivered.

Hubs and I had just moved from Aurora to another state the year before the murders. It was a big, growing, busy suburb, but didn't have much crime. We really enjoyed it. This must have been a big shock for people living there.

 

[detective_kenzie3]

Wow!

This is helpful information. I think this guy was a difter and for all we know could have been "The Guy." I think the other hammer attacks were all by the same person. A sicko looking for his 15 minutes of fame during approximate one week or so spans of murdering or attempting to murder innocent people.

What I would like to know is where was the above person in question specifically throughout the month of January, 1984 on the dates of the Colorado attacks? There are some other good questions about the Bennet's murder here:

The 1984 Bennett Family Murder - True Crime Diva

Satch

I saw that Duane Owen confessed to killing Tereasa Knuth, but then retracted his statement. He also stated he killed a total of 3 woman in Colorado, Tereasa is still missing.

Tereasa Sue Knuth – The Charley Project

I feel like this guy Duane is responsible for other killings/ missing woman in Colorado in the early 1980's!

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 14th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 1 of 2) (Jefferson Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (8/10/18) & arraigned (2/26/21) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. “Might” have plead not guilty. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Trial set to begin on 10/15/21 thru 11/15/21.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 2/26/21 reference post #283 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
4/16/21 Update: Next hearing on 6/18/21 & motions hearings on 9/14 & 9/15/21. Trial has been set to begin on 10/15/21 thru 11/15/21.
6/18/21 Update: Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21.
CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – Trial was from 7/23/21 to 8/6/21. Found guilty of all counts. Sentenced on 8/17/21 to 3 life sentences.

 

[Niner]

Wed., Sept. 15th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (Jefferson Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (8/10/18) & arraigned (2/26/21) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. “Might” have plead not guilty. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Trial set to begin on 10/15/21 thru 11/15/21.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 2/26/21 reference post #283 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
4/16/21 Update: Next hearing on 6/18/21 & motions hearings on 9/14 & 9/15/21. Trial has been set to begin on 10/15/21 thru 11/15/21.
6/18/21 Update: Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. 9/14/21 Update: Motions hearing continued on 9/15/21.
CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – Trial was from 7/23/21 to 8/6/21. Found guilty of all counts. Sentenced on 8/17/21 to 3 life sentences.

 

[Satch]

If ACE was convicted on all three counts, what do they have left to decide?

Satch

 

[Niner]

Patricia Smith's case:

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
10/1/21
10:00 AM 2Hr IN PERSON EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

10/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

thru

11/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510


link: Colorado Judicial Branch - Court Docket Search

 

[Niner]

Friday, October 1st:
*Motions Hearing (Jefferson Co) (@ 10am MT) – CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (8/10/18) & arraigned (2/26/21) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. “Might” have plead not guilty. $1M bond.
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Trial set to begin on 10/15/21 thru 11/15/21.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 6/18/21 reference post #336 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
9/14/21 Update: Motions hearing continued on 9/15/21. 9/15/21 Update: Next motions hearing on 10/1/21.
CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – Trial was from 7/23/21 to 8/6/21. Found guilty of all counts. Sentenced on 8/17/21 to 3 life sentences.

 

[Niner]

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
10/12/21
8:30 AM 1Hr IN PERSON EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

10/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510

thru

11/15/21
8:00 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CRTRM 510


link: Colorado Judicial Branch - Court Docket Search