Putnam County man receives life in prison for murder

Gary Bennett, 38, sentenced Monday

PALATKA, Fla. – A Putnam County man was sentenced Monday to life in prison after being convicted on Aug. 27 of first-degree murder.

During the trial, evidence showed that Gary Stephen Bennett, 38, broke into the victim's home, shot her execution-style, ransacked the house, stole several valuables and stole the victim's vehicle, according to the Office of the State Attorney.

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Bennett was linked to the scene of the crime and to the victim's car keys through DNA evidence.

Investigators said they also tracked down several pieces of the victim's jewelry to a pawn shop that Bennett had visited.

The Office of the State Attorney said the murder weapon, a .32-caliber handgun, which was reported to be one stolen by Bennett at an earlier time was also recovered after the murder.

Bennett was also found guilty in August of burglary while armed, robbery with a firearm and grand theft auto.