Eight Years for Murderer of Lennard Benjamin

At a hearing today, Lonnie Edwards, 23, of the 100 block of Haven Street, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Edwards to 30 years in prison suspend all but eight years for the murder, a consecutive eight years in prison for the drug count and three years' probation.

On June 21, 2005 Edwards was found standing over Lennard Benjamin, 23, in their cell at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Benjamin was unconscious lying face down on the floor and had sustained severe head trauma. Benjamin was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital were he died two days later.

Assistant State’s Attorney Douglas D. Guidorizzi of the Homicide Division will prosecute this case.