Benjamin Murdy Convicted Of Attempted Murder, Animal Cruelty After Firing Nearly 200 Rounds At Harford County Deputies
STREET, Md. (WJZ) -- A man was convicted Friday of ambushing Howard County sheriff's deputies responding to a call at his home.
Benjamin Murdy is now facing a lifetime in prison.
"This is a real stark reminder of how dangerous the law enforcement job is," said Harford County State's Attorney Albert Peisinger.
On Friday, the 43-year-old was convicted on five counts of attempted first-degree murder and animal cruelty. He fired at deputies who responded to his home after he killed the family dog during a domestic dispute.
When deputies arrived at his home on Oak Ridge Drive, he fired nearly 200 rounds. No deputies were struck and none returned fire. However, Murdy's neighbor, Bob Schell, was struck twice in the lower body while he was taking out the trash.
After the verdict, Schell said that justice had been served.
"It makes us feel relieved," he said.
"If I'm up in my garage, above my garage, and I hear all this shooting out there, looking down this way, I'm reliving it," said Schell.
"His life is really ruined anyway... My life's not ruined but his life is ruined," said Schell.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 6.
