13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Benefiel executed by lethal injection

Benefiel executed by lethal injection

Michigan City, April 21 (AP) - The state has executed a convicted murderer by chemical injection early this morning at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

Bill Benefiel was sentenced to death for the February 1987 murder and rape of 18-year-old Delores Wells in Terre Haute.

Prosecutors say Benefiel held her captive in a vacant house for 12 days, sexually abusing her before killing her.

Another woman, whom Benefiel held captive for four months in the same house, survived and testified against him.

Attorneys for Benefiel had asked Governor Daniels to grant clemency, saying Benefiel's mental illness was not taken into account when he was sentenced to death almost 17 years ago.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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