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Benjamin Avrut was found guilty of first-degree murder after beating his 70-year-old-mothe Gwen to death, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said. The jury had rejected Avrut's insanity defense.
On Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, Avrut entered his sleeping mother's apartment at The Top, a luxury condominium in Maplewood, Stephens said. When she awoke, Avrut beat her to death with his fists, Stephens said.
Avrut, who had a history of drug and gambling addiction, then engaged in a series of elaborate deceptions to make it appear as if his mother attacked him before taking her own life, Stephens said. This includes texts to his sister from his mother’s phone falsely claiming she attacked him, Stephens said.
Avrut also attempted to cover up his mother’s murder by staging her suicide, Stephens said Prosecutors argued Avrut killed his mother to inherit $9 million.
He will be sentenced in December, Stephens said.
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