He told detectives he had confused his three-year-old daughter for his 24-year-old wife in the dark. A jury took less than half an hour to reject that explanation.
The Investigation
In February 2018, Henry Vincent Bennett of Bluefield, West Virginia, was arrested after his 3-year-old daughter disclosed sexual abuse to family members and state child advocacy workers, who alerted the Bluefield Police Department. A representative from a child advocacy organization testified that the child had also made a disclosure using a Play-Doh model during a forensic interview.
Bennett's Account
When questioned by detectives, Bennett initially denied any abuse before claiming the child had climbed into his bed by accident while his wife was elsewhere in the home, and that he had mistaken her for his wife in the dark on two separate occasions. We are not detailing the specific nature of the abuse he ultimately admitted to.
Trial
At trial, prosecutor George Sitler challenged the plausibility of Bennett's account, questioning how he could have mistaken his young daughter, roughly 30 pounds, for his 185-pound wife. Under cross-examination, Bennett became emotional and alternated between denying the abuse and claiming his earlier confession to police had been fabricated out of fear, saying he believed making a false confession might allow him to go home. Recorded police interviews presented at trial did not support his claim that officers had promised his release in exchange for a confession.
Conviction and Sentencing
The jury found Bennett guilty on all charges, including six felony counts of first-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse, after less than 30 minutes of deliberation. He was also convicted of incest. Judge Derek Swope sentenced him to a minimum of 50 years before parole eligibility, remarking that while he was not sentencing Bennett to life, it would effectively amount to one.
FAQ
What was Henry Vincent Bennett's defense?
He claimed he had mistaken his 3-year-old daughter for his adult wife in the dark on two occasions; prosecutors and the jury rejected this account.
What sentence did Bennett receive?
A minimum of 50 years in prison before parole eligibility.
How long did the jury deliberate?
Less than 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict on all charges.