12 Oct 2023

David Benbow found guilty of shooting childhood friend

From Checkpoint, 5:07 pm on 12 October 2023

Where's Michael? The question the family of Christchurch man Michael McGrath is asking, after his childhood friend was found guilty of his murder.

David Benbow was accused of shooting the 49-year-old builder in May 2017, because he had begun a relationship with his former girlfriend.

McGrath's body and the weapon used have never been found.

The former prison guard faced two jury trials, the first one ending in a hung jury.

But today, after 18 hours of deliberation this jury convicted him of murder.

Niva Chittock was in court.