Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Florida Man, 54, Arrested For Alleged Abusive Exorcism Of 80-Year-Old Girlfriend

Benes_11554720_8colWe have yet another bizarre case out of the Land O’ Lakes jail in Pasco County. David Edward Benes is under arrest for reportedly restraining and abusing his 80-year-old girlfriend in an effort to “exorcise her and the get the devil out of her.” What is interesting is that, given the age of his girlfriend, Benes is looking at the enhanced charge of domestic battery on a person older than 65 as well as tampering with a witness and false imprisonment.

The false imprisonment charge reflects the allegation that Benes removed the batteries out of his octogenarian girlfriend’s cellphone and took her car keys. Yet, she was found crying outside so it is not clear how long the confinement occurred to qualify as false imprisonment. She was found with scratches on her arms and he was found drunk.

It is not clear if he will argue consent for a religious rite, even though he is at best an amateur exorcist. Moreover, questions of consent could be clouded by question of competence given the age of his girlfriend.

Source: Tampa Bay

10 thoughts on “Florida Man, 54, Arrested For Alleged Abusive Exorcism Of 80-Year-Old Girlfriend”

  1. It is a bit odd how this man is being charged with unlawful imprisonment while at the same time trying to release a demon from this woman

  2. This guy is a real loser. Is anyone really surprised that this episode occurred in Florida??

  6. Look, you could run an entire website with just the odd, shocking, and unexplained news coming out of Florida. As a matter of fact, I think there already is one. Move on. No new news there.

  7. The new vision is not to be obsessed with the right-wing thingy … focus on adult subjects? …

    In saying “I have never been a right-winger” in the same interview in which he’s criticizing the church for being too “obsessed” with gay marriage and abortion, Francis is hitting at those Catholic leaders who use gay rights and abortion to wield political power, putting them on notice.

    (Pope Rocks! … The Boat). Exorcism, contraceptives, abortion … used to be the biggies.

    If David Edward Benes was a bit more of a lefty he would have used loving techniques rather than restraining and abusing his 80-year-old girlfriend in an effort to “exorcise her and the get the devil out of her?”

  8. :It is not clear if he will argue consent for a religious rite, even though he is at best an amateur exorcist.” – JT

    They used to license them.

    That worked about as well, but they had better PR then.

  9. I wanted to add: are exorcism legal in the US? Can the authorities/law enforcement/medical community intervene, staing the person does not have a ‘demon(s) or evil spirit(s)’. Instead, the person is only having a seizure or is mentally ill, and needs medical attention? Can the religious person say: you are interfering with my right to practice my religion? Inquiring minds want to know……………

  10. Lol! He looks like he is the one who needs the exorcism. A drunk performing an exorcist! Should there be a kidnapping charge?

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