# Former police officer sentenced to death for burning love rival

> Former Florida police officer Otto Lenke gets death sentence for setting rival on fire in 'most heinous' murder.
- Title: Former police officer sentenced to death for burning love…
- Summary: Former Florida police officer Otto Lenke gets death sentence for setting rival on fire in 'most heinous' murder. Former police officer Otto Lenke was…
- Keywords: otto lenke, richard benson, florida police, death sentence, murder, arson, circuit court judge michael linn, indian river county, entertainment, culture, news, Former
- Source: LADbible — https://ladbible.com/news/crime/former-police-officer-execution-cruel-crime-love-rival-893310-20261021
- Published: 2026-10-22T07:38:58.957+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: otto lenke, richard benson, florida police, death sentence, murder, arson, circuit court judge michael linn, indian river county, entertainment, culture, news
## Otto Lenke sentenced to death
Former Florida police officer Otto Lenke was sentenced to death by an 11-1 jury vote for the 2021 murder of Richard Benson.

> The court’s independent evaluation of this case herein leads to the conclusion that the death sentence is appropriate and a just sentence for the murder of richard benson.
## How Lenke killed Benson
Lenke shot Benson three times before setting him on fire despite his still being alive.

> Once he confronted benson, he shot him in the back and the chest, before tipping two containers of denatured alcohol on top of him and setting him alight, despite the fact he was still alive.
## Motivation for murder
Lenke killed Benson after learning he was dating Lisa Diggs, a former friend who he believed was unfaithful.

> He then allegedly probed into her love life and at that moment it is believed that benson called diggs, causing lenke to plot his death.
## Arrest and evidence
Diggs recognized Lenke's motorbike helmet and 'particular walk' on CCTV, leading to his arrest.

> In the end, lenke was identified as the potential suspect in the case when diggs recognised his motorbike helmet and his 'particular walk' on cctv footage.
## Jury decision
A 11-1 jury voted to sentence Lenke to death after hearing evidence of his cold and calculated plan.

> The jury chose to hand him the death sentence 11-1 after hearing the evidence supplied at the trial.
## Next steps
Florida Supreme Court will review the conviction before the death sentence can be enacted.

> As it stands, the florida supreme court will need to review the conviction under state law before it can be enacted.
## Key takeaway

Former police officer Otto Lenke was sentenced to death for burning his romantic rival Richard Benson alive in a 'most heinous and cruel murder' after a 11-1 jury vote.