Delaware Man Receives Life in Prison for Double Homicide

A Wilmington man convicted of the murder-for-hire killings of his business partner and the partner’s wife will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Christopher Rivers received two life sentences plus 50 years Friday in the deaths of Joseph and Olga Connell in 2013. Authorities say Rivers wanted to collect on an insurance policy he and Joseph Connell took out to protect their auto repair business.

Co-defendant Dominique Benson was convicted of conspiracy, but jurors couldn’t agree on murder and gun charges against him. Prosecutors plan to retry him. Another co-defendant, Aaron Thompson, also is charged with murder.

Joshua Bey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to five years in prison. He could face a longer term if he fails to testify at future trials.