Second defendant in 2005 murder goes on trial

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Christopher Michael Wright's first-degree murder trial in the 2005 death of John Jason Benjamin over a $300 drug debt began this morning.

Assistant State Attorney Mike Halkitis promised jurors in Courtroom 3A that he would prove three things in this week's trial:

"That this defendant, Christopher Wright, confined and restrained John Benjamin against his will," the prosecutor said. "That he intended to cause bodily harm against John Benjamin and that this defendant assisted in the murder of John Benjamin."

Defense attorney Bjorn Brunvand told jurors that Wright, 46, would testify on his own behalf at the end of the trial. And the defense already put forth a theory for jurors to consider: It wasn't Wright who helped kidnap, beat, slash and stab Benjamin, then leave his body in a burning SUV on Sept. 25, 2005.

It was one of the state's own jailhouse witnesses who should be held responsible for the murder, Brunvand said, witnesses who will lie to the jury this week about the events leading up to Benjamin's death.

"The entire time, Christopher Wright feels helpless," Brunvand said. "He is shocked."

Benjamin was a 37-year-old father of two and an optician who succumbed to drug addiction before his death. Daniel Lee Parbel was found guilty in November for his role in Benjamin's death.

The 37-year-old New Port Richey man was sentenced to life in prison -- the same fate that awaits Wright if he is convicted.

- Jamal Thalji, Times staff writer

Comments

[Candi]

How sad, for your life to be taken for such a small amount of money. The coke and crack reck so many live's and people on it just don't understand how evil the drug is until it is to late. Feel bad for the family's in this tragic story. May god be with them.

[pam]

What happened to the death penalty? I wonder how these people feel now that they're sober and have realized what they've done?! Are drugs and money worth taking a life for? His boys will never understand this entire situation, and I will never be able to explain it to them. There are so many to blame. This a real tragedy.......