A judge in upstate New York interrupted a convicted murderer during his sentencing, calling him a “narcissist” and stopping him from continuing because he showed no remorse for killing his wife in front of their children.
Adam R. Bennefield, 47, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, the maximum for second-degree murder... Continue reading here ▶
He was convicted of killing his estranged wife, 30-year-old Ke’Aira Bennefield, also known as Ke’Aira Hudson, in Buffalo on October 5, 2022. Prosecutors said Bennefield crashed his pickup truck into Ke’Aira’s car while their three children were inside. He then walked up to her car and fatally shot her with a shotgun.
During the trial, Ke’Aira’s 12-year-old daughter testified about the incident. The jury took only an hour to convict Bennefield. Prosecutors pushed for the maximum sentence, with Assistant District Attorney Colleen Curtin Gable stating, “He deserves every minute of it. He takes no responsibility for his actions whatsoever.”
Bennefield had a history of violent behavior, including a prior 15-year prison sentence for kidnapping two women, one of whom was an ex-girlfriend.
At his sentencing, Bennefield made a statement claiming he loved his wife and complained about the trial, accusing prosecutors of withholding evidence and the jury of being biased.
His lack of remorse angered State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, who cut him off, saying, “You’re here because a jury convicted you of brutally killing your wife.”
When Bennefield tried to argue, the judge responded, “You’re a narcissist. I’ve heard enough from you.” When Bennefield persisted, Boller shouted, “Hear me out: Shut up!” and had him removed from the courtroom.
The judge apologized to Ke’Aira’s family and said he wished he could impose a harsher sentence but was limited by the law. “I will give him the maximum because if anybody deserves it, he does,” Boller said.
