Watch CBS News

Former UCI Grad Student Sentenced For 2009 Murder of Ex-Wife

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A sentence was handed down Friday for a former UCI graduate student who was convicted in August of the 2009 murder of his his ex-wife.

Brian Hughes Benedict received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 25 years to life in prison for shooting his wife during a dispute over child-support payments.

The shooting happened outside of his campus apartment after he had attacked Rebecca Benedict with a hammer, authorities said.

The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to Rebecca's family in the amount of $191,000.

On Aug. 7, jurors found Benedict guilty of a felony count of a special circumstances murder for financial gain and lying in wait with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death.

Rebecca, then-30, went to pick up the couple's 4-year-old son from Benedict's campus apartment on Verano Place. Authorities said that the defendant had been ordered to pay child-support.

At the sentencing hearing, the Orange County District Attorney's office said in a written statement that Rebecca's mother and brother shared an impact statements. Her mother said she would honor her daughter's memory by raising her grandson.

RELATED STORY:

Former UCI Grad Student Convicted Of Murdering Ex-Wife Over Child Support

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.