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Posted: May 25, 2010

Rougemont woman pleads guilty in death of acquaintance

Benji Blackwell, charged in Rougemont shooting death

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Rougemont, N.C. — A Rougemont woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Benji Blackwell, 35, will serve eight months in prison for shooting Chadwick Abernathy, 33, in August 2009. The sentence comes on top of the 256 days she has served since her arrest last year.

Upon her release from prison, Blackwell was ordered to report to a psychiatrist within 24 hours. She will also face five years on probation.

Person County Sheriff Dewey Jones said Blackwell shot Abernathy in the course of a domestic dispute at 255 Bass Farm Road.

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Responding to cookw001, I am Mr. Abernathy's widow, Ms. Blackwell shot him in the face not the back of the head. But thank you for your response I just hope she will never be allowed to hurt anyone else. I also feel it was not enough time for what she did, However the children ( 6 and 3) and I are gonna be ok.Thank you again for your input.

cindytunstall28
May 27, 2010 11:00 a.m.

According to persons who know her, she shot the man in the back of the head, as he was leaving her house. They stated that she went crazy when he wanted to go back to his wife and children. If this is even half true, which I am sure it is. This woman should have been charged with murder, and never seen the light of day again. Instead she is released back into society . To You the DA Office we the respectable people of Person County want to thank you for having our best interest in mind.

cookw001
May 26, 2010 11:00 a.m.

If i remeber right this was partly self defense that s why she got 8 months plus what 9 months served

batricia1
May 25, 2010 7:23 p.m.

that's crazy that she only gets 8 months in jail for murder! how much time do you get for growing weed? exactly!!