Good work by Investigator Sean Cochran. Thanks for getting this guy off of the street. I wonder if releasing him after his sentence is complete is the right thing to do.
The detective and prosecutor believe Benjamin Jenkins intended to rape the woman after breaking into her home. The woman he attacked believes Mr. Jenkins intended to kill her that night.
But even as she told the court Tuesday that Mr. Jenkins needed to be punished and others protected from him, she also told her assailant that "the moment you walked out of my house I forgave you."
Because Mr. Jenkins pleaded guilty so early in the process in Richmond County Superior Court, Assistant District Attorney Johnny Markwalter told the judge he would recommend a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. Assistant Public Defender David Brunk, who spoke of Mr. Jenkins' remorse and lack of criminal record, asked the judge to consider the minimum of that range.
Judge Michael N. Annis eventually sentenced Mr. Jenkins to 18 years in prison followed by 22 years on probation.
On Aug. 27, Mr. Jenkins broke into the woman's downtown Augusta home and lay in wait for her. The homeless man knew where she lived because he had followed her home the day before.
The woman told the judge that while Mr. Jenkins spoke of sex and wanted her to take her clothes off, she thought his real intent was to kill her. After he jumped on her, knocking her to the floor, he pressed down on her so hard she couldn't breathe.
She tried talking. She told Mr. Jenkins of her grandchild. She talked of God. Her words didn't seem to have an impact, however. He kept squeezing the breath out of her. The last thing she could think of was calling out for the college student who rented a room from her. The boarder wasn't home, but it caused Mr. Jenkins to leave, she said.
Investigator Sean Cochran had a good basic description of the attacker and knew he was homeless.
The detective drove the downtown streets on the lookout for a man matching the description, and on Sept. 2, he spotted Mr. Jenkins on Broad Street. Mr. Jenkins later confessed.
Because Mr. Jenkins pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with the intent to rape, he must register as a sex offender.
He also pleaded guilty to burglary.
Comments
Good work by Investigator Sean Cochran. Thanks for getting this guy off of the street. I wonder if releasing him after his sentence is complete is the right thing to do.
Now, he is homeless ... no more!
AMEN POFWE...
Free Room, Free Board, Free Cable, Free Heat, Free AC...
HIGHER TAXES FOR YOU AND ME!
Just another tally in the column for the 'something for nothings!'
Nothing a few good public hangings won't cure
rufus...that is an awesome suggestion. I would imagine that a small 'price of admission' would also help fund the city of Augusta a little bit better and help some of these folks get their 'refunds' from the Augusta Lynx Season Ticket crisis? LOL
Hopefully he will do the full 18 years...Hopefully....
How is it that I knew that Christian and Patricia would find the negative news to comment on? This is a great day for America. I refuse to let Mr. Jenkins take my joy this morning. HELLO! HELLO! Yes, I'm back from D.C. I know everyone was glued to the TV yesterday. Well, almost everyone. HELLO! HELLO!
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin the work of remaking America"
this guy should have gotten life without parole. when he is released from prison, he will do the same thing or worse, elect me as a judge in richmond county, and i promise you crime would decrease, because i will give the maximum sentence by law and you will do the maximum time by law.
i don't understand how someone could actually kill another person and only get 10 years, when this guy barley did anything and got 18 years.
Every home needs a gun.
takeme2.....It's part of the old sexual discrimination thing. Society has always considered the defiling of our womenfolk a worse offense than killing one. Beats me. Seems to me like the guy who killed the women should get much more time and it also seems to me that niether one got enough time. Keep them all locked up until they are too old to be a threat. Building bigger prisons is one place I am willing to spend my tax money.
The key to the differences in sentencing was intent. The homeless guy intended to rape and hurt and maybe kill the poor woman. The guy running a stop light and fleeing the police didn't intend to hurt the lady. Both crimes are heineous and deserved punishment.
Seems to me the man got the best deal. Food, shelter, health care and some hot showers he never had on the streets. He had nothing to lose and pleaded guilty. The lady he attacked is getting the 18 year sentence or should I say a life sentence.
Jewel, its a shame but you are absolutely right. I think both of them should be in for life period.
A job well done by a good investigator and a great person! You are a credit to your department, city and law enforcement. Good work officer Cochran.
jack# toui are an azzhole.............
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
