A St. Lucie County circuit judge formally sentenced Otto Lenke to death Wednesday for the 2021 killing of Fort Pierce motorcycle shop owner Richard Benson, a case that began when Lenke shot Benson and then set him on fire while he was still alive. Lenke, 67, was convicted of first-degree murder and arson in May 2026. Circuit Court Judge Michael Linn imposed the sentence at a hearing, telling Lenke directly that the court's independent evaluation led to the conclusion that death was the appropriate and just sentence for the murder of Richard Benson.
"The court's independent evaluation of this case herein leads to the conclusion that the death sentence is appropriate and a just sentence for the murder of Richard Benson. Therefore, Otto Lenke, I hereby sentence you to death for the first-degree murder of Richard Benson," Judge Linn said. Lenke sat motionless in the courtroom as he learned his fate. He did not testify in his own defense during the trial.
Prosecutors said Lenke shot Benson at Fast Frank's Custom Cycle Components, just down the street from the Fort Pierce Police Department, then poured denatured alcohol on him and set him on fire while he was still alive. Investigators said the motive stemmed from a personal relationship: Benson had been dating a woman who previously had a relationship with Lenke, and prosecutors argued at trial that jealousy over that relationship fueled the killing.
Prosecutors said Lenke carefully planned the murder, using a car that day belonging to his daughter so people would not associate him with it, and later cut up the gun used in the shooting and disposed of it in pieces. Lenke is a former Melbourne police officer and Indian River County firefighter.
Assistant State Attorneys Brandon White and Justin Cormier both said they were relieved by the outcome. "He did a horrific act he's going to pay the price. And up until the day that he dies, he's going to be in solitary confinement.
"For years, this case has been pending and today, the family of Richard Benson got justice. So, I'm very, very relieved for that," White said. Cormier added, "We're relieved and the judge's decision is, we respect it and that's what we were hoping for in this case and we're glad that justice could be served." Skip Thompson, a friend who helped Benson in his motorcycle repair shop and attended every day of the trial, said he supported the sentence but was wary of the appeals ahead.
"I like that he got the death penalty. I don't like the fact that we may be back here two or three more times on the appeals," Thompson said. Florida law requires the state Supreme Court to review every death sentence, giving Lenke an automatic legal path to challenge his conviction and sentence, a process that could take years.