From Law & Crime · · 2m
Ex-cop sentenced to death for murder
Ex-cop Otto Lenke gets death sentence after shooting rival, dousing in alcohol, and setting on fire.
In brief
Ex-cop Otto Lenke gets death sentence after shooting rival, dousing in alcohol, and setting on fire. Florida ex-cop Otto Lenke sentenced to death for murdering romantic rival Richard Benson in 2021. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Otto Lenke sentenced to death
Circuit Judge Michael Linn sentenced Otto Lenke to death for the 2021 murder of Richard Benson.
“Lenke executed a cold and calculated plan to murder Richard Benson in one of the most heinous, atrocious, and cruel ways imaginable.”
Murder details
Lenke shot Benson three times before dousing him with alcohol and setting him on fire while alive.
“Benson died while on fire and suffering from three gunshot wounds.”
Date of crime
The murder occurred on February 17, 2021, at Fast Frank's motorcycle shop in Fort Pierce, Florida.
“On the morning of Feb. 17, 2021, Lenke removed the license tag from his car and drove about 40 minutes to Fast Frank's, a motorcycle shop in Fort Pierce.”
Jury verdict
A jury convicted Lenke in May of first-degree murder with a firearm and first-degree arson, recommending the death penalty in an 11-1 vote.
“Jurors found three aggravating factors: the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel; it was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner; and it occurred during the commission of another felony, specifically arson.”
Aggravating factors
The murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel; premeditated; and occurred during arson.
“The judge wrote that Lenke 'executed a cold and calculated plan to murder Richard Benson in one of the most heinous, atrocious, and cruel ways imaginable.'”
How the murder happened
Lenke entered the shop wearing a helmet with tinted face shield and gloves, carrying a gun and alcohol.
“Lenke put on a motorcycle helmet with a tinted face shield and gloves. He carried a handgun and a bag containing two lighters and two containers of denatured alcohol before entering the shop through a rear door.”
First shot
Lenke shot Benson in the back at nearly point-blank range after he arrived to open the shop.
“Benson had arrived to open the store and was working at a bench near the front when Lenke approached and shot him in the back at nearly point-blank range.”
Second shot
Lenke shot Benson in the chest after he rolled over and raised his hands.
“Benson raised his hands toward Lenke, rolled over and raised them again. Lenke then shot him in the chest.”
Alcohol and fire
Lenke poured alcohol over Benson's feet and set him on fire while he was still moving.
“Lenke poured alcohol over his feet. Benson dragged himself toward the front door, and Lenke again pulled him back inside.”
Third shot
Lenke shot Benson a third time after dousing him with alcohol.
“Lenke then shot Benson a third time.”
Aftermath
Benson died while on fire and suffering from three gunshot wounds at 9:21 a.m.
“Responders to the structure fire found Benson inside the shop. He was pronounced dead at 9:21 a.m.”
Investigations
Investigators found three spent shell casings and two empty cans of denatured alcohol near the front door.
“Investigators recovered three spent shell casings and two empty cans of denatured alcohol near the front door, along with surveillance recordings that captured the killing and Lenke's entry and exit.”
Surveillance footage
Surveillance footage identified Lenke based on his 'particular walk' and black motorcycle helmet.
“Investigators spoke with Benson's girlfriend, who identified the person in the surveillance footage as Lenke based on his 'particular walk' and the style of his black motorcycle helmet.”
Relationship history
Lenke and Benson's girlfriend had been longtime friends with a brief romantic relationship that ended before the murder.
“Lenke and Benson's girlfriend had been longtime friends. Their relationship had briefly been romantic but was platonic by the time of the murder.”
Boat delivery
Lenke delivered a boat he built to Benson's girlfriend around January 19, 2021.
“Around Jan. 19, 2021, Lenke delivered a boat he had built to Benson's girlfriend.”
Emotional outburst
Lenke became emotional and asked Benson's girlfriend why she did not love him.
“During the visit, Benson called the girlfriend, and Lenke saw Benson's name on her phone. The order says Lenke became emotional and asked Benson's girlfriend 'why she did not love him and asked if it was because she was seeing someone.'”
The takeaway
Florida ex-cop Otto Lenke sentenced to death for murdering romantic rival Richard Benson in 2021.
