Inset: Richard Bennaugh (Prince George”s County Police Department). Background: The apartment complex where Bennaugh shot and killed his roommate in Springdale, Md. (WRC).
A Maryland man will spend five decades behind bars after killing his roommate over an argument about TV, a judge determined this week.
In June, Richard Bennaugh, 40, was convicted by a jury in Prince George’s County of murder in the second degree, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and tampering with evidence over the shooting death of Dominique Scott Hayes, 27.
On Friday, the defendant was sentenced to 50 years in state prison, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Office announced in a press release.
“Today’s sentence is about honoring the life of the victim and acknowledging the pain their family has endured,” State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson said in a statement. “While no sentence can erase the grief they feel, we hope this outcome brings them a measure of comfort. We are grateful to our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their dedication to this case, and we remain committed to working tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their families by holding offenders of violent crime responsible.”
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In January 2024, Bennaugh shot and killed Scott Hayes at their shared residence on Berrywood Lane in Springdale – a census-designated place located in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
The killer, for his part, claimed self-defense.
Officers arrived hours after the killing – at around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2024. Meanwhile, Bennaugh said the dispute occurred well before.
The defendant told police he fell asleep in the living room on the second floor at around 2 a.m. but woke up at around 5:30 a.m. to find Scott-Hayes “making a lot of noise.” Several minutes later, Scott-Hayes yelled for the TV remote’s location, Bennaugh claimed.
The since-condemned man went on to say he first ignored his roommate but then saw Scott-Hayes walk behind the couch, demanding the remote’s location. Bennaugh said he then removed a blanket from his eyes to see Scott-Hayes holding two large knives. So, he said he grabbed his gun and pointed it at the would-be assailant.
Bennaugh added that the victim initially backed away at the sight of the firearm – before taunting him by saying he would not fire the weapon.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Bennaugh allegedly said, pointing the gun. He then admitted opening fire on Scott-Hayes as the man approached with the knives, according to law enforcement.
Bennaugh said his roommate then ran away. He insisted he saw bullet holes – but no blood – and wasn’t even sure he hit the other man. Then, he said, he went back to sleep.
Prosecutors, however, said the killer repeatedly fired on Scott-Hayes – even as he turned to escape the hail of gunfire.
Ultimately, jurors accepted the narrative offered by the state.
“My son mattered and was chased down like a dog and murdered, and the jury and the judge saw right through it,” the slain man’s mother said in comments reported by D.C.-based NBC affiliate WRC-TV and Fox affiliate WTTG. “While I don’t have a lot of faith in the justice system, it did work this time.”
Alberto Luperon contributed to this report.
