The Shadow
During Governor Ralph S. Northam’s last days in office, dozens of citizens gathered in Richmond to demonstrate in support of clemency for Christopher Bennett who is serving his 1,800- year prison term.
Bennett was convicted of breaking and entering, robbery and capital murder for shooting to death Vincent McDorman, his mother’s boyfriend, who Bennett allegedly caught in the act of molesting Bennett’s half-sister, Victoria McDorman, who was six at the time.
Bennett was given the choice of facing the death penalty for his crimes or accepting a plea bargain that he took, one that carried a life sentence (600 years at the time) for each of the three counts against him.
Currently, Victoria has joined the movement to free Christopher, calling him a “hero” for saving her when she was just six.
However, after Christopher broke into the victim’s home and shot him to death, he stole Vincent’s checkbook and fled.
Victoria has gone on record of claiming that she was too young at the time to resist being molested by Vincent and too young to reveal the truth of what happened the night of the killing. She claims that what did take place was not presented clearly at the time.
Northam granted clemency to hundreds of inmates in Virginia’s prisons during his four years in office, reportedly more than the previous nine governors combined.
Vincent had been accused of physically and sexually abusing Christopher’s mother, and that perhaps served as part of Christopher’s motivation to kill Vincent after allegedly finding him molesting Victoria, a claim that she now confirms.
Those involved in the Free Christopher Bennett Movement have collected more than 150,000 signatures on their petition to free Christopher, and many of those signatures came after national attention was brought to the case after Dr. Phil featured it on his TV program. He brought attention to the lengthy sentence Christopher received, one that some contend falls into the category of cruel and unusual punishment, despite the fact that Bennett agreed to accept it via the plea bargaining agreement.
Christopher was only 18 at the time of his crime, and after serving nearly a decade behind bars, much support for his release has led to the Airington Law; PLLC, in Glen Allen, Va. becoming involved as an advocacy entity with Maria Morales, an executive assistant, being placed in charge.
An attorney, Janet Lee, has also been working with Christopher’s sisters, who now that they are older, have corroborated the molestation that was taking place in 2003.
Cassandra McDorman, one of Christopher’s three younger sisters who was also being molested, is hopeful that the Free Christopher Bennett Movement will persuade Governor Glenn Youngkin to grant clemency after a strong push to get former Governor Ralph S. Northam to grant clemency failed.
For those who wish to join the movement or lend financial support for attorney fees may do so by contacting Morales at Airington Law; PLLC, 4050 Innslake Dr.The Colonnade Building, Suite 190, Glen Allen, VA, 23060 or by calling (804) 294-2719.
