Man Held in Attack on Morning Walker Might Face Death Penalty
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Originally published at 1:39 p.m., April 27, 2009
Updated at 12:00 a.m., April 28, 2009
Loudoun County's chief prosecutor said yesterday that his office might seek the death penalty for a man charged in the slaying of William Bennett, who was attacked along with his wife last month in Lansdowne.
Over the weekend, Loudoun authorities announced that they had charged two people — Darwin G. Bowman, 18, of Annandale and a 17-year-old male from Sterling — in Bennett's killing.
Two others are being investigated in the beating, authorities said: Anthony R. Roberts, 20, of Middleburg is in custody on charges of burglarizing a gun store April 15, and an unidentified 18-year-old male is being held on unrelated charges.
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Sheriff Announces Charges in Lansdowne Murder Case
Darwin G. Bowman, 18, of Annandale was charged with capital murder in the March 22, 2009, homicide of William Bennett of Lansdowne. (Courtesy of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)
Anthony R. Roberts, 20, of Middleburg is currently being held on charges surrounding the burglary of Loudoun Guns on April 15, in Leesburg, March burglaries of three Middleburg stores and in connection to the March 22 homicide of William Bennett of Lansdowne. (Courtesy of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)
William and Cynthia Bennett were victims of an attack in Lansdowne early Sunday morning that left William, 57, dead, and his wife, Cynthia, 55, with severe injuries. The couple, who lived in the Potomac Station community in Leesburg, was found along Riverside Parkway near Rocky Creek drive. (Courtesy of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)
The walking trail along the road where the victims of Sunday morning's attack in Lansdowne had gone for a morning walk. William Bennett, 57, was found slain on the side of the road and his wife, Cynthia Bennett, 55, remains in critical condition. This section of fence was removed as evidence after it led to the discovery of Cynthia Bennett when officials noticed that it had blood on it. (Jonathan Mummolo)
The scene at Rocky Creek Drive in Lansdowne after William Bennett, 57, was found dead and his wife, Cynthia Bennett, 55, severely injured. (Erica Garman)
Teresa Battistelli, 25, of the Cascades, gets teary-eyed during a vigil held in response to a recent homicide. Locals walked in the pre-dawn darkness to the scene where William Bennett was beaten to death in the early hours in Landsdowne. (Dayna Smith)
In response to a recent homicide in Lansdowne, locals walked in the pre-dawn darkness to the scene where William Bennett was beaten to death and his wife was severely injured. (Dayna Smith)
Tracy Hoviena, from Cascades, sheds tears during Sunday morning's vigil. In response to a recent homicide locals walked in the pre-dawn darkness to the scene where William Bennett was beaten to death in the early hours in Landsdowne. (Dayna Smith)
In response to a recent homicide in Lansdowne, locals walked in the pre-dawn Sunday darkness to the scene where William Bennett was beaten to death in the early hours. (Dayna Smith)
Bennett, 57, a retired Army officer, was out walking with his wife, Cynthia, director of procurement for the architect of the Capitol, about 5:30 a.m. March 22. Cynthia Bennett, 55, was critically injured and is slowly recovering, authorities said.
The suspects "were going by in the van, they saw these two and basically jumped them," a source familiar with the investigation said.
The 17-year-old, who has not been named because he is a juvenile, was arraigned Friday. He has a prior conviction in juvenile court for street gang participation, the source said.
Authorities believe that the suspects are members of a gang or associated with one but said the attack was a random "robbery gone bad," not a gang ritual or initiation. Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman declined to name the specific gang.
"We don't feel it's appropriate to give a gang any sort of notoriety in the media," Plowman said. He added that his office was familiar with the gang and that it was unusual for civilians to be the victims of gang attacks.
"The typical event we see is basically them going after each other," Plowman said.
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Bowman, who is charged with capital murder, was in Loudoun County General District Court yesterday morning via video for his arraignment.
Judge Dean S. Worcester extended the hearing until today to give Bowman's family time to get a lawyer for him.
After the hearing, Plowman said he thought that the death penalty should be considered for those responsible for the slaying but added that it is too early to say whether his office would pursue it. Under Virginia law, the death penalty is an option because the slaying was committed along with a robbery.
Even in the likely event he is tried as an adult, the 17-year-old would not be eligible for capital punishment because he is a minor.
Authorities are searching for more suspects, based on eyewitness accounts of five to six suspects at the scene. Additional charges are likely, authorities said.
Bowman and Roberts were formerly enrolled in the Loudoun County public school system but were not active students at the time of the crime, schools spokesman Wayde Byard said. Bowman was assigned to Park View High School and Roberts was assigned to Loudoun County High School, although neither graduated, Byard said.
The attack on the Bennetts rocked the typically quiet area of the county and had investigators working around the clock to determine whether the couple were the victims of a targeted attack, possibly related to William Bennett's professional background.
Bennett worked as a contractor at the CIA for several years until 2000, officials said. He was involved in the mistaken 1999 bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, according to intelligence sources who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.
Authorities now say Bennett's background was unrelated.
Staff writer Walter Pincus contributed to this report.
Tagged: crime, Jim Plowman, Lansdowne, Loudoun Sheriff's Office
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Kind of ironic that someone named Darwin hasn't evolved much more than a caveman
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So true, OTH.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How do two people who live 15 miles apart (Annansale & Sterling) belong to the SAME gang??? Do gangs have members that commute to meetings and "activities"?
Posted by kmccorma (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OhTheHumanity - Great post!
Posted by Insert_Name_Here (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why, if these SISSYS are supposed to be so tough, does it take so many of them to beat ONE old man and his wife?
Posted by JimiP1 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why Henry the VIII had beheadings, people like this.
Posted by m1ke3i6 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Time to bring back "Old Sparky".
Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These guys are all cowards. Now they're scared. Fry them all.
Posted by 123cartoon (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These types always think they are so slick and above the reach of the law....until they are caught.No more chest bumps and high 5's now boys,eh? Its beyond shameful what happened to Mr and Mrs Bennett. May justice be swift and severe and thank you Loudoun County Sheriffs.
Posted by S5S5 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bring back public stonings...at the very least we should bring back the stocks, so we can publicly shame people before throwing them in jail.
Posted by urallimbeciles (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah well what they consider and what the actually do is the same all over LC. Tells us its raining, and we find out your peeing on our boots. Thanks for telling me my property is going down in value and also raise my taxes in the same breath. Good Day, ph
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job. Congrats for finding these scumbags.
Posted by msdires (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Considering death penalty"...He's kidding right?
Posted by menopausequeen (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dying on the chair or getting a potion of poison through the arm is much more humane than the beating that Mr. Bennett suffered...
Posted by acleex (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There has to be enough evidence to get not only a conviction but meet the higher standard required in a death penalty case. Then, don't forget, the case has to pass all of the appeals. Going after the death penalty is a LOT more difficult than it may seem. Actually carrying out the sentence is even MORE difficult.
Posted by ms1234 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can only say, watch the friends you choose....
Posted by ENJOYA (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Really, what is there to think about? If this doesn't meet death penalty criteria what exactly does someone have to do? Great job to law enforcement for catching these guys.
Posted by gatorjeff (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A random burglary attack at 5:30AM is still somewhat concerning. Now, I don't give these young criminals much credit for intelligence, but that many of them would've known there was not much on these people's person. Both of them were dressed casually with no indication of a lot of financial possessions.
It's just concerning to me, as a Loudoun County citizen, that we are not getting the full story, or that people may be rushing to get a case solved. Hopefully, I'm wrong on my latter statement, but more information is needed before I take this story at face value.
Posted by thhalejr (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody in the media should just stop parroting this "random" stuff and get somebody from law enforcement to actually reveal what evidence they have to lead to that conclusion.
Posted by Craig_Colgan (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What about the other murder that happened in Leesburg shortly after this one? Is there any new information?
Posted by katieh916 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Robbery Gone Wrong, doubt it. What did they take? Nothing, no car, no wallet, purse, cell phone. Where is the attempted robbery charge? These men were out to kill. They deserve any & everything that happens to them.
Posted by kw0528 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure this isn't the first time these apparent cretins have been in trouble. First, ignored by whoever was 'in loco parentis;' later by juvenile court judges; then given a slap on the hand by 'the big-time system' after their first official crimes as adults -- sorry Darwin, you probably only made it to step two. [Note, the story says he is a minor, but the blurb under his photo says he is 18.]
Will they be convicted and get the death penalty, as the perpetrators would deserve? Can't you now see the flotsam of compassionate humanity begging for a finding of "innocent" -- 'they were so young...they had hard lives...the gang got them high and made them do it!"
THEN, after conviction, these same hypocrites will pray/demand their deliverance from the death penalty -- just don't let them free it THEIR neighborhoods.
Posted by jackf1946 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So sad what happened to the Bennetts. It's also so sad to watch these young dummies destroy their whole lives by participating in such meaningless activities.
I can help but wonder where their parents were... (not that parents are always to blame...)
Posted by Libby2 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You watch. Those in custody will become born again Christians. They will claim that they are so sorry. Sorry they got caught. Watch for them holding bibles during their trials. I live in San Diego, but my honeymoon was at Landsdowne in 1994. What are gang members doing there??
Posted by Yrman2 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why Virginia has a concealed carry law. Resident concealed handgun permits are issued by the Circuit Court of the County, a straightforward process in Loudoun.
Posted by tresangelas (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by MKadyman (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 6:15 p.m.
Death penalty. Let the woman who was attacked flip the switch. If she doesn't want to do it, I will.
Posted by hz9604 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by junglejamm (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.
A gang? What gang?
More than one criminal makes two criminals - Does this constitute a "gang"?
Though the Sheriffs Office did a great job at cracking the case, I think there is some posturing going on with all of this talk of gangs and illegals etc. Whips all the rednecks and gun nuts in to a fury...
Posted by GusInLeesburg (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice going VA, you now have voted a liberal, in Tim Kaine into office, who will undoubtedly commute the sentence, of those found guilty, to life in prison.
Posted by danno5-0 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These people were well known to the local police. That's why the case was solved.
Posted by glastonbury27 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Death penalty is being nice, they need to to hung. What a punch of wimps, these gangs are wimps and punks, they are savages. Yes they are wimps, it took 5 young men to beat up a man and woman in their 70s. These gangs are savages and wimps, if they thugs were so bad they need go to SE DC and jump someone. Before we put them to death need a nice beat down. No mercy for these savages.
Posted by nativeva1 (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Gus, I guess you're pretty lucky that it wasn't you who these thugs chose as their target. Maybe they would have given you a pass since you posess such an open-minded view of the world ...
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
does it strike anyone else as being very weird that this is being called a "robbery gone bad"? A robbery at 5:30 in the morning? Of joggers? I know these attackers aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but it doesn't make sense that you would randomly rob someone jogging at 5:30 a.m. Joggers don't carry loads of cash or anything on them, so why would you pick them as your target? Something seems fishy.
Posted by nairbsod (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nativeva1: I believe the Bennett's were in their late 50's, not 70 years old. Also, what were they going to rob this couple of - their pride? That claim seems strange.
Gus, please look at the definition of a "gang" - this term is being used properly in this crime. No one has mentioned illegals here except you, it looks like these kids were longtime LC residents but that does not preclude them from being a member of or affiliated with a gang. There are plenty of violent gangs that are not made up of illegals and some of them have been in LC for decades. Therein lies the problem, gangs fighting for territory and membership by violent means. The result is felony burglaries, stabbings, beatings and sadly now murder.
We need to take the "gang" situation in LC seriously, not doing so will result in more violence and death of innocent people.
Posted by cheekymonkey (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ohthehumanity - your comment makes no sense. What is your point - or do you actually have one?
Bottom line - you set the stage for massive population growth in a formerly sleepy rural community as Loudoun County did and you get big city problems - criminals, rednecks, and know-it-alls.
No surprises here.
Posted by GusInLeesburg (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who knew "rednecks" were a bigger "big-city" problem than gangs; Thanks Gus ...
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They were evil!!! There are no other words of describing it.
In a very decent neighborhood, actually one of the best in LC, these guys did stab an old couple at 5:30am to rob what???? A wallet with some credit cards, a watch or a car key ? Or were they blood marking their territory ??
I see no reasons why the full extend of law should not be applied to this scum, either being in a suburb area or a big city.
In weekends during the summer time, I walk with my toddler in Landsdown till 9pm , running and playing around. I still want to do this and being safe for my family and the others.
Yes, we got problems, but we have solutions too !!!
Keep LC safe !!!
Posted by genc_ymeri (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
some of us know....
Posted by GusInLeesburg (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow GUS - you are DUMB!! I blame the developers for the traffic and congestion. BUT I do not blame them for any crime. If you are saying that it its their fault, and its perfectly fine to murder people when they build up an area, then maybe you should be their next victim.
YOU IS DUMB, DUMB AS GUMP!!
Posted by zimm1 (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK zimm1 - Let me get this straight, people and developments cause traffic and congestion but not crime? And who said it "was perfectly fine to murder people"? It is evident that you can read some words but not so evident that you understand the words your are reading. I wouldn't call you dumb because it is evident that you are not very smart. Good luck!
Posted by GusInLeesburg (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrible sorry about Mr Bennett and his wife. No way to restore what is lost. And the death penalty from Mr Plowman. The same Mr Plowman who tried to get an assistant principal to resign by leveraging sensationalist, but bogus, charges of child pornography? In this case a terrible crime has been committed but one has to wonder if Mr Plowman is as zealous for justice as for the sensational publicity of a death penalty case. What do you think?
Posted by RequiemForLogic (anonymous) on April 28, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by MP5N (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:07 a.m.
MP5N - They identified Mr Bennett by a fingerprint match. His were on file because of his concealed weapon permit. I believe that is what I read.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope they get the death penalty because these lowlife savages deserve it!! I don't want to hear their home life was bad or abusive. There are lots of people who don't always have the best home life and they don't commit horrible crimes like this.
Thanks to LC law enforcement for capturing these thugs!
And RequiemForLogic - I agree Plowman sure was overzealous on the child porn case. He should be investigated for ethics violations.
Posted by ycpgirl54 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually went to school with Anthony Roberts. He's not the smartest kid at all!!! He's not a thug, gangster, or whatever y'all want to categorize him as. He's, and always been a stupid kid that has been in trouble most of his juvenile life because he gets influenced by the wrong people. I hope he gets the maximum penalty!!!!!
Posted by cgshelton (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i know Darwin very well. he is not a bad person. yes what he did was wrong. i dont know why he would do that because he isn't a bad guy at all. i dont think he deserves the death penalty. killing him is just as bad. he knows what he did was wrong. that's why he should do time for it. but i don't think he deserves to die. neither does the 17 year old. i know him very well too. he's a sweet boy and a very kind person. all you know is that side of them. but you dont know the real them. so i don't think any of you deserve to judge them or call them names. only god can judge and can decide what to do with them. he caught them already. i think that's enough to say.
Posted by x_050694 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
x_050694 - you have got to be ****ing kidding me, or you don't know these two as well as you thought! People who are not "a bad guy at all" and how are "not a bad person" don't run around beating folks to death. I'm just sorry that Mr. Bennett wasn't carrying his pistol when he was attacked by these thugs, since given his background and training he'd have had no qualms about dealing with them properly on the spot, and there would be a live couple today and no death penalty debate for these wastes of oxygen.
Posted by gieriscm1 (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shouldn't we all wait for the trial and the evidence before deciding if these suspects are guilty and what punishment if they are?
Posted by EdwardMyers (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I heard a funny comedian say we have the death penalty in Va. (actually was Texas but why mess up a good story with the facts) and "we use it". If they did what was reported and killed this man Virginia should "kill you back".
Posted by visarick (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Death Penalty is too good for these miscreants.
I say Solitary Imprisonment till they die of natural causes.
No phone, no tv, no radio, no computer.
No outside contact.
Just 24hrs a day in a 5x5 cell and enough food and water to keep them alive.
Posted by wjmdjm (anonymous) on August 8, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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