Richard Bennaugh, 40, was found guilty of murder in the shooting death of Dominique Scott-Hayes over a television remote. The Maryland man who murdered his roommate was sentenced to five decades in prison.
Bennaugh was found guilty after only a few hours of deliberation by the jury.
More than 30 of Scott-Hayes’ family members attended the sentencing on Friday, according to Fox 5 DC, and they said the news finally allowed them to take a deep breath and begin the healing process.
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“Twin, we got justice for you. I love you so much wherever you are,” sister Monique Scott-Hayes said.
READ ALSO: Maryland man allegedly killed roommate during dispute over remote control
“My son mattered and was chased down like a dog and murdered, and the jury and the judge saw right through it. While I don’t have a lot of faith in the justice system, it did work this time,” Scott-Hayes’ mother, Monique Scott, said.
Bennaugh was convicted of second-degree murder as well as tampering with evidence and for use of a handgun in commission of a crime.
The murder took place on January 10, 2024, at the home that Bennaugh and Scott-Hayes lived at in Prince George’s County.
The argument allegedly began when Bennaugh claimed to be asleep on the couch and Scott-Hayes woke him up to ask where the TV remote was. Bennaugh said he opened fire because Scott Hayes was holding two knives and tried to charge at him.
Bennaugh claimed self-defense, but prosecutors said he continued shooting 27-year-old Scott-Hayes even as he tried to escape.
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According to NBC Washington, Bennaugh informed detectives that he went back to sleep after the incident. He claimed he got up later that day and drove to a marijuana store in D.C. and a tobacco shop in Landover. Upon arriving home, he smoked marijuana, flushed the shell casings, and spoke with friends who encouraged him to dial 911, he added.
Scott-Hayes’ body was discovered face down in his bedroom by police after Bennaugh called 911. He had one knife in each hand and another in his waistband. Investigators also discovered a bottle of bleach and several fired bullets.
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