ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 A jury reached a verdict Friday afternoon in the murder trial of former police officer and firefighter Otto Lenke in Fort Pierce, finding him guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree arson.<\/p>\n
The jury began deliberations Friday morning at about 10:08 a.m. before reaching the verdict at 12:53pm. Lenke showed no visible reaction when the guilty verdicts were read aloud in the courtroom by Alexandria Buhr, Criminal Court Clerk.<\/p>\n
Several people hugged outside the courtroom a few minutes later after the verdicts were announced.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s perfect. It’s what happened and they got the right guy,” said Robert Kinter, friend of the murder victim.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy. It’s a terrible thing to say that you’re happy that someone’s going to, another person’s gonna lose their life but he did something horrific,” said Brenda Kinter, friend of the murder victim.<\/p>\n
Lenke was charged in the 2021 killing of Richard Benson inside Benson\u2019s motorcycle repair shop, Fast Frank’s Custom Cycle Components, in Fort Pierce. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.<\/p>\n
During closing arguments Friday morning, Assistant State Attorney Brandon White said the evidence clearly pointed to Lenke\u2019s guilt.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defense wants you to walk him, right? Wants you to walk him out that door. All right? That’s not what the evidence supports and that’s not what the law supports,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
“We’re asking you to use your common sense. And by now, after you’ve heard all the evidence you should have that abiding conviction of guilt,” White told the jury.<\/p>\n