BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It was an emotional day in an Erie County courtroom for the family of a Town Boston man who was killed two years ago.
Four of six defendants appeared for sentencing Tuesday before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to receive their sentencing in the July 2022 stabbing death of 25-year-old Brenden Benoit.
Benoit’s body was found in a wooded area off Heltz Road in Lake View. Investigators learned that Benoit was lured into the wooded area after he was told there would be a party. Instead, a group led by 28-year-old Jared Adamski, used a knife to brutally attack him, stabbing him multiple times and then leaving him in the woods where he died.
The incredible, raw emotion was delivered from the parents Benoit where they finally had a chance to face their son's killer and his three accomplices.
“Stress and heartache will apparently kill you if you let it,” cried Edward Benoit, father of the victim.
“My beautiful son had no chance of defending himself,” sobbed Arlene Borowiec, mother of the victim. “They left him in the woods, for Brenden to bleed out. To leave him like he was a piece of trash. I have unspeakable nightmares of my baby dying and I couldn’t help him."
Both Benoit's parents spoke directly to the four defendants before they were sentenced.
“And now we find ourselves here, waiting for the hammer to fall. Determine the fate of the cowardly, conning killers and their lying co-conspirators. Happy day huh?" commented Benoit.
In the video below, you can watch the emotional statements delivered Tuesday in court by the victim's mother and father.
Judge Case sentenced Adamski to a maximum of 25 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision on first-degree manslaughter.
Adamski addressed the courtroom before the judge handed down the sentence.
“To everyone in this court today, and to the family of Mr. Benoit – I’m sorry, I am sorry. I’m not asking for forgiveness because I know if the roles were reversed, I wouldn't be forgiving in the slightest,” Adamski said.
Three more of Adamski's co-conspirators, considered accomplices in Benoit's death, were also sentenced.
- 22-year-old Harrison Drozen will serve 12 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter.
- 21-year-old Kayleigh Skybyk-Schuh will serve 10 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter.
- 24-year-old Connor Krone was sentenced to time served, followed by five years of post-release supervision for assault.
It was revealed in court that it was Skybyk-Schuh who drove Benoit to the scene. She accused him of sexually assaulting her, an accusation investigator and the judge said that was a “false" accusation.
“And this really was like childish, high school stuff that resulted in the loss of Brenden's life, which is just inconceivable to this court,” remarked Judge Case.
Skybyk-Schuh also addressed the court before she was sentenced.
“To the family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I’m so sorry for the pain and agony that we've caused. I’m sorry for everything that we put you through. You didn't deserve that,” stated Skybyk-Schuh.
22-year-old Elexus Dean, who pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence and now lives out of state, did not appear Tuesday and will be sentenced at a later date.
The Erie County District Attorney’s office said a sixth defendant was granted youthful offender status and was already sentenced to 360 days of incarceration for their involvement.
County District Attorney Michael Keane and Town of Hamburg police and investigators discussed the case after the nearly two-hour sentencing.
“This is really an awful case. It's a tragedy. This family is devastated,” described Keane.
Both of Benoit's parents had very strong messages to those responsible for killing their son.
"When you close your eyes at night, do you see your bloody hands? Do you see my son's bloody body? Because I do," Borowiec said.
"I want you to be scared, alone, felt done over, and lied to every waking moment of your life," Benoit stated.
