Benito “Benny” S. Marquez awaits his turn to go before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court for bail hearing
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Prosecutors say 16-year-old Benjamin Eastman III was sexually violated with a stick during a fatal assault by his friend and the friend’s brother in which he was hit and kicked to death before being buried in a shallow grave the suspects marked with a cross made of sticks in Randle.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer today charged Benito S. Marquez, 16, and his older brother Jonathon R. Adamson, 21, with first-degree murder and other offenses including first-degree rape.
Benjamin Eastman III
2002 – 2018
All three are from Randle. Detectives have said Eastman and Marquez lived near each other and were longtime friends.
“We’re not going to talk about motive at this time,” Meyer said after a court hearing for the defendants.
Meyer says the brothers lured Eastman to a wooded area under the guise of a camping trip on or about Sunday June 24. Eastman’s father reported him missing on Wednesday and investigators discovered his body this past Thursday on property off the Cispus Road belonging to the brothers’ grandparents.
The brothers appeared in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon, in a nearly packed courtroom, represented by defense attorney Scott Johnson from Tri-Cities and a second lawyer.
Meyer asked they be held in lieu of $10 million bail and Judge James Lawler agreed.
Eastman lived with his father BJ Eastman on the 100 block of Gharet Road East in Randle and he last saw his son before going to bed on the Saturday night, according to authorities.
As deputies began looking for the teen, they were provided with his cell phone records which showed he was in contact with his friend and classmate Marquez, who goes by Benny, in the early morning hours on Sunday, according to charging documents.
Eastman indicated in a text he would be traveling to his buddy’s home, in the last activity on his phone, according to prosecutors.
When Marquez was interviewed last last week, he denied Eastman ever showed up.
Based on subsequent interviews with the suspects, detectives were able to determine the two planned to assault Eastman when they lured him to a wooded area, Meyer wrote in charging documents. Meyer said he didn’t know where that location was.
It was estimated by Adamson the assault lasted between 20 and 45 minutes, continuing after Eastman was on the ground; with well over 100 kicks delivered to the victim, according to the allegations. The pathologist agreed that number could be correct, based on the extensive injuries to Eastman’s head and torso, according to Meyer.
Adamson allegedly told authorities he pulled down Eastman’s pants and inserted a stick from the scene into Eastman’s rectum, while Marquez held Eastman’s shoulders, according to Meyer.
The two allegedly hit Eastman repeatedly with a large rock to ensure he was dead and buried him in a shallow grave at the scene. His and the brothers’ clothing along with a shovel were burned in a burn pile behind the brothers’ home, according to Meyer.
A short time later, concerned the site would be discovered, the brothers allegedly removed the body, wrapping it in plastic and twine from their grandparents’ barn and re-buried him on the grandparents’ property.
Detectives were were initially told that was a gravesite for a dog, but last Thursday when Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ken Cheeseman got permission to search the property, he began to move the soil and uncovered a human foot, according to authorities. The grave was marked with a cross made of sticks.
Attempts to contact the brothers at that time revealed they had fled the area. Late the following afternoon, Adamson and Marquez were found when troopers made a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near Ellensburg.
The brothers are also charged with tampering with physical evidence and unlawful disposal of remains. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to Meyer’s charging documents.
Meyer said although Marquez is a juvenile, under the law a 16-year-old or a 17-year-old is automatically charged in adult court, for certain crimes.
The arraignments are scheduled for July 12.
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For background, read “Brothers arrested in death of 16-year-old Randle boy” from Saturday June 30, 2018, here
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Jonathon R. Adamson is escorted to the defense table for a bail hearing in Lewis County Superior Court
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
The death penalty was abolished in Washington State as of October 11th, so that’s no longer on the table as an option.
Victoria, I couldnt agree more!! And I might add that it is refreshing to see Lewis Co actually agreeing on something for once!! These two pukes need to feel the needle for sure…and while they are fading into the depths of Hell for eternity,grab a big old nasty knotty spruce branch and rape them in the ass like they did poor Ben!!! I would gradly push the plunger!!! I hope they make it to prison cuz there are many,many, many inmates that know all about them. They wont last long!!!
Remember folks the death penalty means these two will be safe for a long long time ! These two should never feel safe again . Death row inmates generally live 178 months between sentencing and execution , that is 15 years of being safe ! I live in this area and the death of our little communities child fills me with rage , but the facts are the facts and the fact is they should never feel safe again ! Throw them in with their peers. That is sending them to hell. Their life expectancy in with the general population will be much less .
I’ve seen the fathers cameos on the local news channels repping an out of state nfl team. Rambling about love and all this bullshit. Where is the responsibility to his minor son , his whereabouts and making sure he’s safe. Sounds like he was a shitty father making up for it by buying him things like dirtbikes no one else could afford. Having a benefit for him at the tavern and doing paid appearances on dr Phil he seems to be soaking up the limelight and cashing in on his sons death. The deceased is rumored to have fathered a child with another minor girl that happed to be the murders sister and was possibly stat rape charge for doing so. I’ve seen this a thousand time the parents try to be cool and let their kids do what ever the hell they want and then whine why did this happen to me and my kid. The kids in east Lewis county are facing a dire post high school reality and the underage party scene largely sponsored by the cool parents and other predatory adults is out of control. It all starts with a camp out, a fire and some hard alcohol and who the hell is providing the premise and setting the example. The hyper masculine mill attitude or extreme behavior is what they all asertain to. Take some responsibility East county.
I knew nothing of this case until watching the father being interviewed on Dr. Phil today. I was appalled and horrified. This is a clear cut case that deserves the death penalty – no questions asked. I don’t give two shits about their age. They know the difference between right and wrong, what is moral and decent behavior. Would they want to be beat and raped and killed? No! Therefore, they are sane enough to know the difference unless they have a medical history that proves otherwise – which I doubt. Also, why is their scumbag defense attorney entering a NOT GUILTY plea and wasting taxpayer dollars. That is what is wrong with our judicial system. A bullet in the head for each costs a lot less. Eye for an eye. I feel no regret or remorse for saying this as they are a waste of space on this planet. No rehab for individuals who commit heinous crimes like this that are sick, violent, and disturbing beyond the pale. No reason for them to exist any longer on this planet. This is why people lose faith in the judicial system and religion. Neither holds up when good people get destroyed by evil. Justice often does not prevail the way it should. And what about the mom. A plea deal. She knew about the murders and she is not an accomplice or accessory for not reporting. A Jonathan’s girlfriend who knew also. Time for some heads to roll in that courtroom. I hope the prosecutor and the judge and jury burn these boys at the stake. They truly deserve what they have coming to them and then some. No mercy!
The death penalty is to good for these sick sob I hope they are raped and beaten until they die whether that be from a inmate themselves or old age I hope every day in prison is cruel and unusual punishment for them any of you delusional people who believe otherwise let that be your loved one they did this to then lets here you believe different
And now the mother has been charged in this crime also, whoever would have guessed? It’s about time they are held accountable. Time to bring a short rope to a Tall Tree in the East End for this group.
When you read some of the comments above, you see why some of our children are growing up sick of mind and spirit. Even when you agree with these comments, they’re said with such anger, rudeness, foul mouthing, and meanness of spirit as to make the truth look ugly.
Jonathon was an employee of mine once. He seemed to be an OK person, but he didn’t work out as my employee so I let him go.
But what makes or made him and his brother do this? I am at a loss. I do not know (or remember) the family of the murdered boy, but I extend my sincere condolences. I also extend my sincere condolences to the grandparents of one of these young men as I do know them and cannot comprehend what they must be going through now. The same goes for his parents, I did know them once.
Why????? What is going on that two young men/boys invite a friend over to sexually abuse him while killing him?
Life without parole in an 8 x 8 cell 23 hours in and 1 hour out each day.
yes and remember all were someone’s baby at one time so many lives destroyed by senseless acts. the horror Ben must of felt and now the loss and the terrible truth his family will have to endure for the rest of their lives. Makes me so sad, some may blame childrearing, video games, society but I am sure that there were signs of mental disorders that you could clearly see in these boys. Very sad for all. The only way things will change is if we as a society take a stand and demand stricter laws and to demand that children are protected as well as adults its sad when you get more time for selling drugs than you do for murdering a child.
I personally love the death penalty. Not that I believe it deters crime mind you. We all know that it doesn’t. LOL No, I just really like murder. Everybody from Ted Bundy to John Gacy, from Richard Speck to Albert Fish, I love them ALL!!! I can’t get enough.
Every killer leaves an impression on those who learn about their crimes. Some killers are charismatic and charming like Ted Bundy, while others are masters of disguise and manipulation like Gacy. Some, like Richard Ramirez are crazed and psychotic while other like Gary Ridgeway are very calm and deliberate.
But when it comes to murder, nobody does it better than the State governments. The State, when it murders a human being, it is awe inspiring. So awe inspiring that it must make the most prolific serial killers jealous or envious.
Nobody, not any serial killer can be as cold, uncaring, unemotional, and detached from the act of murder than the State. The State can kill a human being with literally thousands of people screaming in agony for the execution to stop, and like a deaf and dumb mute who hears absolutely nothing but the kill-switch being pulled, it’s as if nobody cared.
A victim facing their own murder by someone other than the State, has a chance to escape. They can potentially talk their way out of it, befriend the killer perhaps, or gain the upper hand and turn the tables. But when the State murders a person, they can plead and cry and try to escape, and do whatever they feel they have to do to survive, but it won’t help in the least. The State, with cold deliberation and methodical intention and steel determination can do what no other serial can. They can murder a human being as if that human being was just one in a long line of countless ‘cases’ being closed.
Look around …listen to people like Kathy GRIFFEN and Johnny Depp and Maxine Waters!!EVIL IS SPREADING THROUGH OUR COUNTRY AT A HORRIFYING PACE
SATAN IS WALKING THE EARTH COLLECTING SOULS . IT SURELY IS END DAYS WHEN YOU HEAR TJIS KIND OF EVIL FROM WHAT USED TO BE A COUPLE OF YOUNG FRIENDS!! YOUNG KIDS. HOLLYWOOD HAS PRODUCED SO MUCH EVIL GARBAGE THAT KIDS ARE ALLOWED TO WATCH IT DOES SOMETHING TO THEM. YOU HEAR SO MANY SAY AFTER CAUGHT….” I WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD FEEL LIKE TO KILL SOMEONE FOR REAL AND NOT JUST ON A ONLINE GAME.” 15 YRS WATCHING MY BOYFRIEND CHANGE FROM A NICE CALM PLEASANT PERSON.TO SOMEONE WHO IS ANGRY AND EVIL TALKING AFTER PLAYING ARMY GAMES AND SNIPER GAMES …made me nervous. During a argument he got weird. Under his breath he said something like I knew I should have shot you….. scared the hell out of me. But he was fine later. Those games on line DO HURT KIDS …AND ADULTS. I DON’T CARE WHAT THEY SAY. I WATCHED A NICE GUY TURN INTO CRAZY GUY WHO WAS ALWAYS GETTING ANGRY SO FAST… at store clerks , other drivers ..anyone. flagging them or snapping at them. Very embarrassing when I was next to him. This all after 50! He’s 77now. Still an ass. Still playing same ARMY KILLING games on line every day. He’s about to start chemo and radiation for throat cancer. God got mad at him. Lol Maybe he will learn something.
The death penalty has certainly been misused, especially prior to DNA testing, but this case is a clear example of why we as a society should choose to strengthen the burden of proof required to sentence someone to death to avoid mistakes, rather than outright ban or place moratoriums on the option.
There are cases in which the perpetrators are so sick, depraved and evil, that the death penalty is the only punishment that could even remotely feel just. These two boys are grotesque abominations and deserve nothing less than to sit on death row.
For the family of Benjamin, I hope the memory of their loved one’s life can shine brighter than that of these sickening pos.
Why is there even a question of what to do with these two oxygen wasters? Purge the gene pool.
The reason it costs so much to put someone to death is because of the liberal pukes that allow appeal after appeal. In a open and shut case like this, and many others, the fuckers need to be put to death upon being found guilty or admitting guilt….. these 2 are prime candidates..
Death penalty. Slow and very painful death 6 months after they are proven guilty in the court of law. As to our Governor, we need to remember in November. This young man, Lindsey Baum, and so many other victims are not well represented by our Governor, or his policies, in this state. There is little value to human life here.
This entire situation is very disturbing and horrifying to say the least. These two indviduals carried out the most heinous and evil act on an innocent young man, and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law… My sincere condolences to his friends and family!
How could these two boys be soooo evil? How could this happen?
I don’t care what their motivation was, they need to pay a visit to satin in Hell!
The death penalty is the perfect solution for this case. There is no doubt these 2 killed that boy. PUT THEM TO DEATH within 6 months of the verdict of guilty. Why should any citizen in any state in this country have to pay taxes to keep these worthless sons a bitches in prison or on death row for the rest of their natural lives. At the cost of millions to our country. Fuck our Governor.
It costs twice the amount of our money for the death penalty then it does doing life. Do the research. They will be living in as much fear and pain as they dished out for the rest of their lives. They will wish they had been given the death penalty. The inmates will deliver their own justice and it won’t be pleasant.
Neither of these two human beings should ever see the light of day again.
Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, thanks to our idiot governor, there’s a moratorium on the death penalty – anyone that does something THIS heinous deserves it. Just means that if they’re convicted – and they better be, WITHOUT possibility of parole – we’ll be paying for these two assholes for the rest of their useless lives