Benny Lee Saylor

Background

Benny Lee Saylor was released from DOC in 1991 on Probation for 4 years following his 1988 conviction for Burglary in Madison County. A Petition to Revoke was pending.

The offence

While taking clothes to her car, Judy VanDuyn was confronted by Saylor at knifepoint. Saylor forced her into her van and directed her to drive to a remote area of the county.

A few hours later, after the storm had subsided, a farmer went outside to check his livestock and buildings. He came upon a van parked in a muddy field. He saw a female driving and a man in the passenger seat. He later identified this man in a lineup as Saylor. The farmer asked if they needed help and both said no. After checking his grounds, the farmer returned to the van. He could not see inside and assumed that the couple had been “parking” and had abandoned the van when it was stuck in the mud.

A neighbor would later come across the van, thinking there had been an accident. Upon looking inside, the neighbor discovered the body of Judy VanDuyn, cut or stabbed approximately 45 times in the chest and abdomen.

Investigation

Footprints inside the van and away from the van in the muddy field were discovered with a “Jordache” imprint.

The husband of Judy VanDuyn had gone looking for his wife. At the Laundromat, he saw that it was locked and closed. He made note of an automobile parked nearby and wrote down the make and license number. This car was later found to be registered to Saylor.

When questioned, Saylor was found to have scratches over his body and dried blood on his head. A search warrant recovered a pair of soaking wet Jordache tennis shoes from his home.

At trial, a fellow inmate at the jail testified that Saylor had admitted the murder.

Arrest

Saylor was questioned following the identification of the vehicle registered to him. When questioned, he was found to have scratches over his body and dried blood on his head. A search warrant recovered soaking wet Jordache tennis shoes from his home.

Trial

Conviction: Murder, Felony-Murder, Robbery (B Felony), Confinement (B Felony).

Jury Recommendation: Life Without Parole.

Sentencing

Sentencing occurred on February 17, 1994. The court imposed a Death Sentence with no other sentence imposed.

The sentencing judge overrode the jury recommendation for Life Without Parole.

Aggravating Circumstances:

• b(1) Robbery
• b(9) On Probation

Mitigating Circumstances:

• functioned well in correctional system
• he was a good employee
• non-nurturing background and upbringing
• worked to add veteran’s name to memorial
• intoxication at the time of the murder

The judge rejected the jury recommendation against a death sentence. The judge’s reasoning included:

Here, the Judge rejected the jury recommendation against a death sentence. In light of 2002 amendments to IC 35-50-2-9, which require Judge to sentence in accordance with jury verdict, it is inappropriate for Saylor to be executed today.

Outcome

Benny Lee Saylor was sentenced to death on February 17, 1994.

Appeals

The case was remanded with instructions to impose sentence of 60 years, 20 years, 20 years, consecutive.