Dothan Man Avoids Death Row In Murder Case
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: October 15, 2012
Cornellious Antwon Benton could have been sentenced to death for the shooting death of a Dothan man almost four years ago. However, according to defense attorney Hamp Baxley, Benton agreed Monday to enter a plea of guilty and was, instead, sent to prison for 20 years.
Benton was one of two men charged with the November, 2008 shooting death of Christopher Woods. The 28-year old was gunned down along Blackshear Street during what was described by police investigators as a drug deal and robbery gone wrong.
Tawaun Townes was arrested just hours after the deadly shooting and was subsequently found guilty by a jury and ordered put to death. Benton, on the other hand, spent about three years on the run before he was arrested in Crestview, Florida on August 6, 2011.
Benton admitted to Circuit Judge Kevin Moulton Monday that he shot Woods but contends it was a shot from Townes gun that took Woods' life.
Moulton, in addition to the 20 year prison sentence, ordered Benton to pay a $10,000 fine and almost $5,000 in restitution. Previous charges against Benton include robbery, cocaine possession, and escape.
