![Lancaster resident Aaron Daniel Benson [left] allegedly crashed his pickup into several parked cars on both sides of the street as he moved westbound on Avenue J-12 before slamming into a 71-year-old woman’s home and crushing her as she slept March 29.](https://theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Aaron-Benson-truck-through-home.jpg)
The hearing for 25-year-old Aaron Daniel Benson, of Lancaster, seeks to establish if there is enough evidence to put the defendant on trial.
Facing a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison if convicted, Benson on Wednesday successfully substituted his public defender for a private defense attorney.
Judge Shannon Knight then granted a request to continue the preliminary hearing to May 27, noting that the defendant’s new attorney would need sufficient time to review discovery and other court materials.
Additionally, Benson consented to waive his right to a speedy hearing to allow for the continuation. Even so, the court upheld his bail at $1 million.
The defendant pleaded not guilty on April 15 to murder and other felony charges for allegedly driving drunk on March 29 and killing a 71-year-old woman sleeping inside her Lancaster home in the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12.
Benson is charged with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, and driving with a 0.08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense. The criminal complaint alleges he was previously convicted of DUI in October 2011.
The victim, Patricia Ann Holmes, was pronounced dead at the scene, after her body was discovered in her bed beneath Benson’s 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
According to authorities, Benson allegedly crashed his pickup into several parked cars on both sides of the street as he drove westbound on Avenue J-12 prior to slamming into the elderly woman’s home.
The defendant has been in custody since then, while being held in lieu of $1 million bail. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station.
Previous related stories:
Man pleads not guilty in crash that killed elderly woman sleeping inside Lancaster home
Murder charge filed in Lancaster home crash that killed sleeping elderly woman
Suspected DUI driver crashes into Lancaster home, woman killed
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About the author
Jim E. Winburn is freelance reporter covering news of public interest. –
av 1 says
He [removed] up, he isnt getting off, he has a prior dui, he will be doing a 15 year to life sentence. Hope others will learn from his mistake, that dui is a dangerous game, call a cab, sleep in your car, walk home, stay home and drink at home, it isnt worth it.
lilian says
true he wont get off the hook he will be sentenced for a long time but the good thing is now he will have a lot of time to think about what his bad choices got him into
Big Lou Luna says
His friends bombard us saying he’s a good guy who just screwed up. That is total bull. Good guys don’t have previous DUI’s. So what is his defense since he wants a trial, She shouldn’t have slept in her bedroom, or maybe to builder is at fault for building a house in the path of a drunk driver. It’s time to accept responsibility and take what’s coming to you
lilibelle says
I totally agree he messed and now has to suffer the consequences
Cali Palmdale says
Are you kidding me What is this sh++(((The hearing for 25-year-old Aaron Daniel Benson, of Lancaster, seeks to establish if there is enough evidence to put the defendant on trial.)))) I think this young killer knows someone, might be a son or related to a politician in the valley what are they saying the evidence is clear no wonder why we have so many criminals in the street this criminal court system is Brocken its a joke if he was clearly innocent then they might say ok we have to put him on trial… please don’t spend our tax payers money just convict the guy no trial what for.
It sucks says
It sucks the way the system works but everyone is innocent until proven guilty so that’s why they have to establish enough evidence to convict him. As a victim of a horrific murder in our family I know how frusterating our system can be but we have to believe in it to some point. Justice will prevail, this whole process is completely normal and I’m sure he has no family doing favors for him in this process, it’s just how it goes.
Ron says
Everyone has a preliminary hearing before they go to trial……unless the defense attorney waives the preliminary hearing but that doesn’t happen very often.