Ex-Florida Police Officer Sentenced to Death for Burning Rival Alive

A former Florida police officer, 67-year-old Otto Lenke, has been sentenced to death for the murder of 57-year-old Richard Benson. The sentencing took place on Wednesday at the St. Lucie County Courthouse.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Linn described Lenke's actions as a "cold and calculated plan" to murder Benson in a way that was "heinous, atrocious, and cruel." Lenke was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in May, who recommended the death penalty with an 11-1 vote.

Prosecutors argued that Lenke's motive was jealousy. Benson was dating Lisa Diggs, a woman with whom Lenke had previously been in a relationship. According to court documents, Lenke drove approximately 40 minutes to Benson's motorcycle repair shop, Fast Frank's Cycle Concepts, in Fort Pierce. He waited for about 20 minutes before shooting Benson three times in the back at close range.

After the shooting, Lenke poured two containers of denatured alcohol over Benson, who was still alive, and set him on fire. Surveillance footage captured Lenke entering the shop, committing the murder, and then leaving. Investigators found three spent shell casings and two empty cans of denatured alcohol near the scene. Lenke had reportedly removed his car's license plate and worn a helmet and gloves during the attack.

Diggs, Benson's girlfriend, identified Lenke in the surveillance footage, noting his distinctive walk, build, and motorcycle helmet. She testified that she had known Lenke for 10 years and had previously been in a brief romantic relationship with him, but their relationship was platonic leading up to the murder. Diggs also told investigators that Lenke carried a gun everywhere. She recounted an incident where Lenke became emotional after Benson called her while Lenke was delivering a wooden boat he had built for her, prompting Lenke to question her feelings and if she was seeing someone else.

Assistant State Attorney Brandon White, who prosecuted the case, characterized the murder as one of the most heinous acts investigators had encountered. Lenke was apprehended two days after Benson's death when investigators linked him to the crime. A car matching the description of one registered to Lenke was seen near the shop. While initial cell phone data placed Lenke's phone at his residence during the murder, it later tracked to an area near the Indian River Lagoon, where authorities recovered a .40-caliber Glock firearm consistent with the murder weapon.

Under Florida law, Lenke's death sentence is subject to review by the Florida Supreme Court.