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One year later, still no answers in Lansdowne attacks

The coming week marks the one-year anniversary of a crime that sent fear through many Loudoun residents.

It was early March 22 when Potomac Station residents William and Cynthia Bennett were brutally attacked on Riverside Parkway in Lansdowne during their routine early morning jog.

William Bennett, 57, died from his injuries, while Cynthia Bennett, now 56, spent several months in the hospital recovering from her injuries.

While suspects in the attacks remain in custody, only one has an official charge against him, and he has yet to face a preliminary hearing.

Darwin Giovany Bowman, 18, of Annandale, was charged with capital murder in April 2009 for the attack. He faces a preliminary hearing May 13.

image
Darwin G. Bowman

During the hearing, prosecutors will try to prove Bowman not only killed William Bennett but tried to rob him in the process.

At the time of Bowman’s arrest, Jaime Ayala, now 18, of Sterling, was charged with capital murder.

The charge against Ayala later was dropped to first-degree murder since he was a juvenile at the time of the offense, and juveniles cannot face capital murder charges per the Code of Virginia.

The first-degree murder charge was then dropped after there was no proof of age in the indictment against him.

image
Jaime Ayala

The commonwealth has yet to refile that charge with proof of age.

Ayala remains in custody for two other incidents that happened in early 2009. He pleaded guilty to charges for a Feb. 28 attack at the Cascades Community Center in Sterling and awaits trial on charges for a March 27 home-invasion-style robbery at an apartment in Lansdowne.

Anthony Rumont Roberts, now 21, of Middleburg, was listed as a suspect at the time of Bowman’s arrest, but charges have yet to be filed against him in the case.

Roberts remains in prison after pleading guilty to a series of commercial burglaries in spring 2009.

image
Anthony R. Roberts

The burglaries happened at several businesses in Middleburg and Loudoun Guns in Leesburg.

An 18-year-old Sterling man also was listed as a suspect at the time of Bowman’s arrest, but police never charged him with the crime.

“At this time, we will refrain from commenting, other than to say we have those responsible in custody,” Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kraig Troxell said. “As the matters are within the court system, or otherwise still the subject of ongoing litigation, we will avoid further comment at this time.”

Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman said his office continues to work on the case.

The ashes of William Bennett, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army and a decorated Special Forces officer, were laid to rest Oct. 19 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cynthia Bennett attended the ceremony and a memorial service that followed at Fort Myer. 

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I think its rediculous! ive known jaime since elementary school, and he really was a good kid, and ended up hanging around the wrong group of people. I know in his heart his not a mennace of any sort.. Justice should be served because a wrong doesnt make a right, i just hope they understand that enough is ENOUGH. And to change as a person, because we ONLY LIVE once.


My one question to anyone as well as these three how chances do you need to have until you enough is enough. I know all of them pretty well and they have been in an out of the system thinking it was a joke for years….. NOW WHAT DO WE DO WITH THEM?


i empathize with jaime. hes my bestfriend. he was at the wrong place at the wrong time for those of you who dont know the facts. im not excusing wat was done in any way because it was a horrible crime. my heart goes out to the families.


Great article. I really like it. Thanks for information a lot.  True Blood

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