Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Coudersport teenager convicted in connection to the death of an Eldred teen two years ago will not be re-sentenced. 17-year-old Kaylynn Benson had asked a judge to reduce her sentence, and she wanted part of it to be served under house arrest. She’s currently serving a 10- to 20-year state prison sentence. Judge Stephen Minor denied her request, saying she was sentenced in accordance with a binding plea agreement she read and signed. Benson pleaded guilty in connection to her involvement in the murder of 18-year-old Sam Miller. 21-year-old Jonothan Prather shot Miller eight times. 27-year-old Avery Buckingham helped Prather dump Miller’s body into Prouty Creek. Benson held a spotlight for them. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 16-year-old Coudersport girl has been sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder in the killing of an Eldred teenager last June. Kaylynn Benson helped lure 18-year-old Samuel Miller to a secluded area, and then held a spotlight while 20-year-old Jonothan Prather and 26-year-old Avery Buckingham dumped his body into Prouty Creek after Prather shot him eight times in the head and chest. Prosecutors believe Prather shot Miller because he believed Miller was going to tell police about his involvement in a burglary. Prather has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Buckingham will be sentenced May 22, and could get up to 40 years in prison. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Austin man who helped another man dump the body of an Eldred teenager in a creek has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. 26-year-old Avery Buckingham helped 20-year-old Jonohan Prather of Coudersport throw the body of 18-year-old Samuel Miller into Prouty Creek last June after Prather shot him eight times in the head and chest. Buckingham will be sentenced May 22, and could get up to 40 years in prison. Prather has already been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A third co-conspirator, 16-year-old Kaylynn Benson of Coudersport, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and will be sentenced May 1. She could spend up to 20 years in prison for holding a spotlight for Buckingham and Prather while they threw Miller's body into the creek. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Austin man charged in the murder of an Eldred teenager last June has taken a plea deal. 26-year-old Avery Buckingham is expected to formally plead guilty to first degree murder Monday in Potter County Court. His co-defendants 20-year-old Jonothan Prather and 16-year-old Kaylynn Benson have already pleaded guilty. Prather shot 18-year-old Samuel Miller in the head and chest 8 times, and then he and Buckingham threw his body into Prouty Creek while Benson held a spotlight for them. Prather has been sentenced to life in prison. Benson is scheduled for sentencing on May 1. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man who shot and killed an Eldred teenager, then dumped his body in a Potter County creek, will spend the rest of his life in prison. 20-year-old Jonothan Prather of Coudersport was sentenced Monday in Potter County Court. He pleaded guilty to shooting 18-year-old Samuel Miller eight times in the head and chest in June of last year. One of his co-defendants, 16-year-old Kaylynn Benson, also of Coudersport, pleaded guilty earlier this month to third-degree murder. A second co-defendant, 26-year-old Avery Buckingham, is awaiting trial on a murder charge. Jury selection is scheduled for May. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Potter County teenager has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in connection to the killing of 18-year-old Samuel Miller of Eldred in June. 16-year-old Kaylynn Benson will be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. May 1, according to the Potter County District Attorney's office. One of her co-defendants, 20-year-old Jonathan Prather of Coudersport, pleaded guilty last month and is scheduled for sentencing on March 26. A third co-defendant, Avery Buckingham of Austin, is awaiting further court action. The three are accused of taking Miller to an area along Prouty Run Creek in Potter County, where Prather shot him eight times. Prather and Buckingham then dragged his body to the creek and threw him in while Benson held a spotlight. A fisherman found Miller’s body in the creek. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A benefit for the family of the Eldred teenager who was shot to death earlier this month will be held July 2 at the Eldred Borough Fire department. Sam Miller was 18 years old and had just graduated from high school three days before the shooting. The benefit will help with the costs that have occurred since then. The benefit includes a yard sale, bake sale, raffles, auctions and dance featuring music by DJs Brian and Paul. The fire department building is on Platt Street in Eldred. Sam was the son of Deana Brown Miller at the late Mark Miller. He wasthe grandson of Fred and Linda Brown of Eldred and the brother of Ashton and Zach Miller. The three people charged with murdering Miller are jailed without bail.

A 15-year-old girl has been charged as an adult in connection to the murder of an Eldred teenager earlier this month. Kaylynn Benson of Coudersport is charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, according to online court records. She, along with 19-year-old Jonothan Prather of Coudersport and 25-year-old Avery Buckingham of Austin are accused of killing 18-year-old Samuel Miller on June 5. They are accused of taking Miller to an area along Prouty Run Creek in Potter County, where Prather allegedly shot him eight times. Prather and Buckingham then allegedly dragged his body to the creek and threw him in while Benson held a spotlight, according to papers filed in District Judge Anette Easton's office. A fisherman found Miller’s body in the creek last Saturday afternoon. Prather and Buckingham are jailed without bail. Benson is being held in a juvenile facility. Memorial services for Miller will be held Tuesday afternoon at the B...