By Taylor Boyd
Bennie Lee King pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andrew Hynes.
“He received a sentence of 40 years on the murder, and then there’s a mandatory minimum of three years on the firearm charge,” Hynes said.
With all but 18 years suspended, King faces 25 years of active incarceration. Under Virginia law, the year King has already spent in jail awaiting trial will be credited toward his sentence.
“He’ll have the remaining 24 years to serve. He’s in his 60s, so he’ll be pretty old when he gets out,” Hynes said, noting there is also the possibility King could die in prison.
“I think it’s our hope and the family’s hope that he spends the rest of his life in jail. That was one of the reasons why we agreed on that sentence,” he said.
Hynes said King shot his wife during a drunken argument on Dec. 3, 2024. King was charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The incident occurred at 1271 Stella Road, according to previous reports. At the time, King reportedly called the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Center and told the operator that he had just shot and killed his wife.
“He went to his car, retrieved his gun, and shot her in the head,” Hynes said.
Alexis King, 64, was found deceased on the front porch of the residence.
Hynes said family members spoke in court about their loss, and that King addressed the court.
“He also took the stand at the hearing and almost suggested that it was her fault. He said he felt bad for having killed her, but that people did not understand the full story, and what’s a man to do when a woman brings up her ex-husband,” Hynes said.
