Jason Brian Coulter, 35, stood before V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Mackay on Friday, February 15, 2019, to be sentenced for the murder of William Bennett in late November 2014. Photo: VI CONSORTIUM

Jason Brian Coulter, 35, stood before V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Mackay on Friday, February 15, 2019, to be sentenced for the murder of William Bennett in late November 2014.

Acting Attorney General Carol Jacobs said justice has been served for the victim and his family.

“This crime was senseless and heinous. It is apparent Jason Coulter, who committed this atrocity, had absolutely no regard for human life,” Acting AG Jacobs said.  “I hope that while he sits in jail serving his sentence, he will use the time to reflect on what he has done and the heartache he has caused Mr Bennett’s family.” 

First & Second Degree Murder

Charged with one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault and attempt to destroy evidence, as well as two counts of using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a murder, two counts of using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a first-degree assault and two counts of using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a third-degree assault in connection with Bennett’s slaying, Coulter accepted a deal from prosecutors and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 22-year prison term.

During allocution, Assistant Attorney General Eugene Connor, Jr., characterized Coulter as a “sociopath who has no empathy for his fellow human beings.”

“He’s spent his whole adult life drifting from place to place and bringing evil wherever he went – Hawaii, Florida and now the Virgin Islands… The evil stops here today in the Virgin Islands,” AAG Connor said while asking the judge to impose a sentence of not less than 22 years as stipulated to in the plea agreement.

At sentencing, the court also heard from the victim’s daughter, Lauren Bennett Gibson.  In recounting the events leading up to her father’s death, Gibson said 22 years was not enough for Coulter’s crime.

Traumatic Experience

“I’d never had such a traumatic experience before.  I don’t understand how my dad was such a wonderful human being and how anyone could have done what they did to him… He has no remorse about it… I don’t think 22 years is not enough.  My dad was 67 years old and I want him to spend 67 years in prison thinking about my dad,” Gibson told the court.

Prosecutors had alleged that Coulter clubbed and repeatedly stabbed Bennett to death inside the Sapphire Village apartment they both shared. The incident occurred sometime between Nov. 28 and 29, 2014. Coulter then left the island shortly after and was extradited to the territory almost a year later to face the charges.