Benton Beyer sentenced to 105 months for racist attack on Cold Spring family
COLD SPRING, Minn. -- An emotional day in court as a Minnesota mother described how a racist attack destroyed her family.
Benton Beyer was found guilty of stalking and harassing the Robinson family in Cold Spring. He also caused a truck to crash into their home. A judge Friday sentenced him to nearly 9 years in prison for the attack.
"Nothing could be worse than the impact your actions have had on my life and the life of my family," Andrea Robinson said.
Robinson talked through tears on the stand before the judge sentenced Beyer for targeting her multi-racial family because of the color of their skin.
"You did not destroy a home, you destroyed a family," Robinson said.
Video captured Benton's actions. He caused a stolen truck to crash into the Robinson's Cold Spring home. A teddy bear hanging from a noose inside. The culmination of 80-plus days of stalking and harassment.
"Every day I'm faced with the same struggle. The house I once called home now resembles a shell of life it once was and a family that's forever changed. The place we once called home will be emptied of contents and sold," Robinson said.
The state pushed for the maximum, saying Beyer targeted this family because some of its members were Black.
Beyer addressed the court, asking for probation so he can be around for his daughter.
And said his unhealthy actions affected many.
"They affected the Robinson family home and for that I am sorry. I hope they forgive me and go on living their lives peacefully," Beyer said.
In the end, the judge sentenced Beyer to what the state asked for: 105 months, or nearly 9 years.
"The impact this has had on their family kind of trumps everything," Judge Andrew Pearson said.
Robinson told WCCO she doesn't think Beyer took responsibility for his actions.
Beyer must serve at least 70 months of his 105-month sentence.