Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on July 1, 2019, Circuit Judge Brantley S. Clark, Jr., sentenced Jonathan Bennett to a life sentence in the Department of Corrections. Bennett was found guilty as charged of First Degree Murder with a Firearm on June 12, 2019.
Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy, Chief of Major Crimes, and Assistant State Attorney Cord Grimes proved that on May 29, 2017, Jonathan Bennett shot the victim, Cody Darby, once directly in the throat, but claimed he acted in self-defense. Bennett and Darby were roommates and had exchanged words earlier in the morning of May 29, 2017. Bennett left the residence abruptly; went to his grandmother’s home to retrieve a 410 shotgun; returned to the residence and walked directly to Darby’s room; killing him in his sleep. This case was investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, case agent Investigator Amy Burnette.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.