|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
by Daniel Duric, in the Newport Dispatch
NEWPORT — A 64-year-old Brownington man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend’s son at a camp where he had been barred from entering.
Michael Chadwick of Brownington pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Lamoille County Superior Court for the 2022 shooting death of Mark Benjamin, 42. The sentence includes a suspended portion of five additional years.
Prosecutors said Chadwick shot Benjamin on September 21, 2022, just one day after Benjamin’s mother obtained a final relief from abuse order against Chadwick. Benjamin was leaving the Belvidere camp after changing its locks when Chadwick fired two shots through an open car window, striking Benjamin in the arm and neck.
The shooting occurred at a property on Bog Road that Chadwick had been prohibited from visiting under the abuse order. After a standoff with police, Chadwick surrendered and has remained in custody since.
Chadwick is currently held at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield. The defense had sought a 12-year sentence, while prosecutors requested 17 years.
Discover more from Vermont Daily Chronicle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Crime
Interesting how this was considered only 2nd degree, sounds like straight up stalking, premeditated 1st degree to me…and he only gets 15 years!!!??? OK sure, he might not live that long, but that’s not the point! At the same time the shooter of the St. J police officer is being charged with 1st degree. As tragic and unacceptable as the St. J habitual loser’s actions were it seems like his crime was more likely in the heat of the moment NOT premeditated. This would all be more tolerable if murderers got life, period! 1st degree murderers can get the death sentence. Never happen I know, but it should…just my opinion.
Only 15 years? I’m sure the family of Mr. Benjamin will see that as an insult.
Step1. Abuse prevention order does absolutely nothing
Step2. Arm yourself and stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you are expecting an attack. Being inside a vehicle is a great tool to escape danger. You shouldn’t be sitting in there getting shot, you should be driving.
To murder a man in cold blood like that should be the death penalty or no chance of ever getting out of prison. 15 years is a slap in the face of justice.