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, a jury in Prince George’s County found Richard Bennaugh, 40, guilty of second-degree murder, using a handgun in a violent crime, and tampering with evidence in connection with 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,” said State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson 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.”
In January 2024, Bennaugh shot and killed Scott Hayes at their shared home on Berrywood Lane in Springdale – a census-designated area within the Washington, D.C., metro region.
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 had fallen asleep in the living room on the second floor around 2 a.m. but awoke around 5:30 a.m. to find Scott-Hayes “making a lot of noise.” Several minutes later, Scott-Hayes reportedly shouted asking about the TV remote’s location, according to Bennaugh.
Bennaugh claimed he initially ignored his roommate but then saw Scott-Hayes walk behind the couch, demanding to know where the remote was. Bennaugh said he then removed a blanket from his eyes and saw Scott-Hayes holding two large knives, prompting him to grab his gun and point it at the supposed 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.”
