Christopher Bennett was facing the death penalty for killing his stepfather, Vincent McDorman. Now represented by court-appointed lawyers, Chris says the 18-year-old was confronted with two possible outcomes: spend the rest of his life in prison or risk being sentenced to death.
In Part 5 of No One Was Coming, the focus turns to Christopher's defence and the legal strategy being developed as his case moved towards court.
Chris describes his relationship with his attorneys, what they told him about the case against him, and the enormous pressure of making decisions that would determine whether he lived or died.
The path being laid out would ultimately lead Chris towards a plea agreement — and a sentence of three consecutive life terms totalling 1,800 years.
This is Part 5 of No One Was Coming: The Christopher Bennett Story.
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This series contains discussion of child sexual abuse, physical abuse and domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available.
Australia
1800RESPECT (sexual assault and domestic violence, 24/7): 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Foundation (adult survivors of childhood trauma): 1300 657 380
Bravehearts (child sexual abuse support): 1800 272 831
Kids Helpline (ages 5 to 25, 24/7): 1800 55 1800
Lifeline (crisis support, 24/7): 13 11 14
United States
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (24/7): 1-800-422-4453
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7): 1-800-656-4673
National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7): 1-800-799-7233
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7): call or text 988
United Kingdom
NSPCC Helpline (adults concerned about a child): 0808 800 5000
Childline (for anyone under 19, 24/7): 0800 1111
NAPAC (adult survivors of childhood abuse): 0808 801 0331
Rape Crisis England and Wales (24/7): 0808 500 2222
Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
International For domestic violence services in other countries, visit hotpeachpages.net for a directory of helplines and agencies worldwide.
If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services: 000 in Australia, 911 in the US, 999 in the UK.
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