Christopher Bennett says his own defence lawyers weren't planning to present a defence after he was charged with killing his stepfather, Vincent McDorman. Facing the possibility of the death penalty, Chris was instead being pushed towards a plea agreement.
In Part 6 of No One Was Coming, Chris describes what he says was happening behind the scenes as his case moved towards court and why he came to believe that going to trial was never really an option.
He recalls his defence team's approach to the case, what was said in court, and the pressure he faced as an 18-year-old deciding whether to risk the death penalty or accept a deal that would ensure he spent the rest of his life in prison.
Christopher ultimately accepted the plea agreement and received three consecutive life sentences — a sentence totalling 1,800 years.
This is Part 6 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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