Another report by the Orange County Register covered the tragic story of the UCI shooting that resulted in the fatality of a woman, Bekki Clarke, whose ex-husband, Brian Hughes Benedict, just 3 days prior was “scolded” by Orange County Judge Nancy Pollard in the Orange County Superior Court — reducing his child custody to every other weekend and doubling his child support. The Orange County Register previously reported on this story.

Brian Benedict was accused of wanting to kill himself, allowing his 4-year old to play outside unsupervised, encouraging his son to dive off a 10-foot diving board, keeping a gun in his apartment, returning son to mother with dirty clothes and scraped knees, allowing son to ride in car short distances without being strapped into a car seat, and having a bathroom filled with bacteria. Bekki Clarke reportedly sought to prove Brian Benedict was an unfit parent and wanted to convince the judge to increase the fathers child support obligation.

According to the report, what drove Brian Benedict to allegedly kill Bekki Clarke remains a mystery, but the afternoon-long hearing in family law court in Orange hints at possible triggers, according to a transcript obtained by The Orange County Register.

Child Custody Ruling. After Judge Nancy Pollard criticized Brian Benedict in the Orange County courtroom for allowing their son to play outside without supervision, Judge Pollard awarded mom sole custody, and gave visitation to dad every other weekend.

Child Support Ruling. Brian Benedict had been paying Clarke $450 a month in child support based on an agreement they had worked out. Pollard ordered it increased to $920, based on an imputed income of $84,000 per year for Benedict – what he was making at Northrop Grumman when he left to return to school. Judge Pollard showed little sympathy to Benedict’s studies, saying “the care and maintenance of his child is ultimately more important.” Reportedly, judge Nancy A. Pollard said, “He just refuses to accept that responsibility and wants to do something that will enhance his enjoyment because he thinks it’s more fun.”

Could courtroom conduct of Judge bear any blame or reponsibility in “UCI slaying: Divorce foreshadowed violence”? You be the judge.

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