THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160382
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 25 lines
A jury on Friday convicted Charles A. Arthur, 21, of second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Catherine Sizemore Benson, 21, in 1993.
The jury recommended a 40-year prison sentence.
Benson's body was found by her employer, Jerry Hartley, when he returned to his home on Coyote Avenue in August 1993. Benson was his housekeeper.
Testimony showed that Benson was hit numerous times on the head and body with a barbell, crushing her skull.
Arthur, a resident of Asheville, N.C., was stationed aboard the amphibious-assault ship Guam at Norfolk Naval Station. He was arrested seven months after the killing.
KEYWORDS: MURDER CONVICTION by CNB