NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Bill J. Benefiel Jr.

Indiana

April 21, 2005

After Midnight

The state of Indiana is scheduled to execute Bill J. Benefiel, Jr., a white man, April 21, 2005 for the Feb. 7, 1987 murder of Delores Wells, 18, of Vigo County. Wells was kept in Benefiel’s home for several days. She was sexually abused and tortured before Benefiel killed her. Benefiel also kept another victim in his home who survived and testified against him.

Court-appointed experts testified during the guilt phase of the trial that Benefiel suffered from schizophrenic personality disorder, and from a mental disease or defect. As a baby, Benefiel’s birth mother gave him to an unfit mother in exchange for having a place to live. Benefiel endured a traumatic childhood including abandonment and sexual abuse by his adoptive mother’s boyfriend. During trial, Benefiel was reluctant to disclose the details of abuse he suffered and also reluctant to discuss the crimes he had committed.

He suffered an emotional breakdown during the trial, refusing to go back into the courtroom after a recess. The trial court, however, ruled that Benefiel was not mentally ill due to the fact that he “showed the ability to monitor police, commit numerous burglaries, conceal and destroy evidence, and his manner of carrying out various crimes.” In 1991, the Supreme Court of Indiana stated that Benefiel’s “impairment suffered as a result of mental disease is entitled to substantial mitigating weight .” However, the court maintained that this mental illness issue as mitigation was diminished because Benefiel exhibited both periods of non-violent behavior and control and because of the way in which the crimes were carried out.

There is strong evidence to support the argument that Benefiel suffers from mental illness. The execution of persons with mental illness is a clear violation of international human rights standards as violating the 1964 and 1989 U.N. Economic and Social Council Resolution and the U.N. Human Rights Commission Resolution.

Please take a moment to write the state of Indiana protesting the execution of Bill Benefiel. This cycle of violence must not be further perpetuated by the state.

September 02, 2010

Subject:

I extend my sympathies to the loved ones of Delores Wells. Her death was brutal and senseless. I do not wish to minimize the tragedy of her death in anyway. However, I strongly oppose the execution of Bill J. Benefiel. The death penalty does not serve as a deterrent against crime. It is much more costly than alternatives such as life sentences. Furthermore, the death penalty perpetuates a cycle of violence and ultimately creates a more violent society. Mr. Benefiel endured physical and sexual abuse as a child. He then unjustly abused and killed Delores Wells. I implore the state not to respond to this atrocity with further violence. I am also concerned about the scheduled execution of Mr. Benefiel because of his mental illness. There is strong evidence to support the argument that Benefiel suffers from mental illness. The execution of persons with mental illness is a clear violation of international human rights standards as violating the 1964 and 1989 U.N. Economic and Social Council Resolution and the U.N. Human Rights Commission Resolution.
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