Suspect In Seton Hill U. Stalking Case Sentenced To 5 Days To 23 Months In Prison
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A man who pleaded guilty to stalking a Seton Hill University student and repeatedly breaking into her apartment will likely spend just five days behind bars.
John Bennish, 59, was sentenced to between five days and 23 months in prison.
When he's released, he'll be on house arrest in his upscale Hempfield Township home.
The victim was not in court for today's sentencing, but in 2012 told KDKA she lived in constant fear.
"His picture just creeps me out," she said.
She went on to say, "My sense of safety is gone."
In court today, a prosecutor told the judge, "This is the type of case where the hair on the back of your neck stands up. The level of invasion of privacy was so great; (the victims) didn't know what to do."
The prosecutor went on to say, "This was not a mistake."
Bennish was arrested after a neighbor saw him enter the victim's apartment.
When police served a search warrant at Bennish's home, they found several pairs of stained women's underwear and more than a dozen photos of other women who had lived in the Toll House complex over the last decade.
Defense attorney Harry Smail didn't speak to the media today, but previously said his client got the photos while dumpster diving.
Smail told the judge today that his client has undergone extensive mental health therapy and accepts responsibility for what he has done.
In his own words, Bennish told the judge, "I'm very sorry for my actions and my behavior."
Bennish will report to prison on June 3.
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