DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad denied three Iowa inmates’ applications for commutation, including a woman who murdered an elderly Mason City man.
Bennie Mae Harrington, age 57, committed her crime on March 12, 2001, in Mason City. She is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder for slaying 81-year-old Robert Crawford. Allegedly, Harrington was a drug user who sought more drugs when she visited Crawford’s home. She bludgeoned him with an unknown object in his home, and outside after he fled to an alley, and was attacked further. He was later found outside, deceased. Her application was denied.
Also denied was Atwell Conner Jr., age 71, who committed his crime on March 9, 1974, in Jones County. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. Paeng Saengaroun, age 66, was also denied. He committed his crime on April 9, 1996, in Buena Vista County. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder (two counts).
