An 18-year-old from Troy made his first appearance in court Saturday, charged in the city's first homicide of the year. Ayerius Benson is charged with murder in the second degree after he allegedly shot and killed 29-year-old Turhan Tate Thursday afternoon.
Benson had been on the run since the shooting, until police caught up with him in Menands Friday afternoon. Saturday morning he was arraigned on the murder charge.
Judge Christopher Maier said, “In particular, it is alleged that you shot and killed Turhan Tate with a firearm causing his death.”
Janet Owens, Tate’s mother in law, said, “I think it’s justified but, I don’t think he deserves it because he’s young and he was scared. But, he did something so now he has to pay for it.”
Tate's family has mixed emotions about Benson's murder charge. Benson allegedly gunned down Tate, Thursday afternooon in front of his home at the Corliss Park Apartments. His family witnessed everything.
Owens said, “He was telling my daughter I’m going to kill your boyfriend when he comes back because he just choked me and did me like this. His eyes were bugging out and he was stuttering. He couldn't keep his self control.”
Owens said that’s when Benson came back to their home with a gun, “He thought it was a BB gun. He thought the kid was trying to scare him.”
Owens said had Benson just kept his self control, a 29-year-old father wouldn't be dead and an 18-year-old wouldn’t be behind bars charged with murder, “He should have just taken the time and thought about it. Now he’s in this situation. Now his life is really ruined and it’s a shame.”
Benson is currently in Rensselaer County Jail without bail. He is due back in court April 22nd for his preliminary hearing. Benson also faces an assault charge in Menands after allegedly injuring an officer there during his arrest.
