News release from Inyo County Attorney’s office

Raymond Bencoma was sentenced today by the Inyo County Superior Court to 141 years, 4 months to Life  in prison.  The Honorable Brian J. Lamb ordered the sentence after today’s hearing.  Mr. Bencoma will be transferred to the reception center of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as soon the necessary court documents are prepared.

bencoma

Ray Bencoma

On September 6, 2017 an Inyo County Jury convicted Mr. Raymond Bencoma of four counts of felony assault with a firearm arising out of an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of August 26, 2016.  Under California law, these charges are classified as serious felonies.  

The District Attorney’s office had argued for the term, based on the severity of the charges, the number of victims, and Mr. Bencoma’s lengthy, serious criminal history (including three prior “strike” convictions)

District Attorney Tom Hardy stated “The Court made the right decision.  Obviously, this was a horrible situation and there is nothing good that could have come of it, but the law enforcement agencies handled the matter with the utmost professionalism and the jury entrusted with the case found the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The Court carefully examined the sentencing factors, and did the right thing.”

The case against Mr. Bencoma was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dee Shepherd.  The case was originally investigated by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the Bishop Police Department and Inyo District Attorney Investigators.

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