Man, 23, Arrested in Bludgeoning of O.C. Woman
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SANTA ANA — Sheriff’s investigators arrested a San Diego County man on suspicion of killing Marie Evans Powell, whose bludgeoned body was discovered in her Laguna Hills townhouse on Oct. 14.
Eric Wayne Bennett, 23, was arrested at 5:45 p.m. Monday at his parents’ Fallbrook home on a warrant for murder with special circumstances, which could result in the death penalty, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini.
Bennett is being held without bail at the Vista County Jail complex in San Diego County, awaiting transfer to the Orange County Jail, Martini said.
Investigators said that Bennett, who installs floor coverings for a living, had been contracted by Powell, 50, to install linoleum flooring at her townhouse in the 22400 block of Caminito Tecate. Martini said that Bennett made two visits to the house, where Powell had lived for about six weeks.
Based on information and scientific evidence that police would not detail, investigators asked the district attorney’s office to issue a warrant for Bennett on Monday.
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