Gregory Bender Murder Trial Concludes with Verdict
After an intensive 48-hour police investigation, the trial case involving Gregory Bender has finally come to an end. This case revolves around the shocking murder of Patrick De La Cerda, which took place in Deltona, Florida, back in February 2018.
The murder captured national attention due to its chilling nature and the involvement of Gregory Bender, who was the ex-boyfriend of Jessica Devnani, De La Cerda’s fiancée at the time. The recent episode of the true crime documentary series “48 Hours” on CBS sheds light on this tragic event. The official synopsis for the episode states that the murder stemmed from an undelivered engagement ring, highlighting the tragic consequences that followed.
On the fateful morning of February 27, 2018, Patrick De La Cerda was anticipating the delivery of a custom-made ring for his fiancée, Jessica Devnani. However, Gregory Bender, armed with a firearm, fatally shot Patrick four times at his home. The murder shocked the community, and investigators discovered that Patrick’s computer and the hard drive from his home’s security system were missing, suggesting that Bender had taken them after committing the crime.
Authorities began focusing their attention on Bender as a potential suspect with the help of Jessica Devnani, who expressed her suspicions about his involvement in the murder. Devnani revealed to the police that Bender had been harassing her ever since she started dating Patrick. She recounted how he frequently left threatening messages for her and Patrick. Devnani took legal action by obtaining a restraining order against Bender and notifying the authorities about his weapons.
Gregory Bender, a hedge fund manager from Windermere, had been in a relationship with Devnani for eight years since 2009. However, in 2017, Devnani discovered that Bender was married to another woman named Daymara Sanchez, leading to their breakup. Sanchez played a crucial role in solving the murder case when she provided valuable information to the authorities. She tipped them off about certain notes found in Bender’s notebook that seemed to outline a murder plan.
In 2018, Patrick De La Cerda ordered a handmade, work-of-art engagement ring for his fiancée, but was killed before he could present it to her.
Go inside the story of a complex murder plot, tonight at 10/9c on #48Hours. https://t.co/wvx1NUmRsn pic.twitter.com/EqHTbCPDT6
— 48 Hours (@48hours) November 13, 2021
During the search of Bender’s residence, the police discovered notes similar to the ones described by Sanchez, as well as shell casings matching those found at the crime scene. These findings led to Bender’s arrest, and he was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. The trial commenced on May 25, 2021, and after more than three days, the jury delivered a verdict of guilty against Gregory Bender for the murder of 25-year-old Patrick De La Cerda. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Bender’s defense team has indicated their intent to appeal the sentence, arguing that the police conducted an illegal search of his house, which they believe led to his arrest. Currently, Gregory Bender is serving his sentence at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Santa Rose County, Florida.
