Judge OKs plea deal in Florence salon slayings

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 5, 2009 at 4:44 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2009 at 4:44 PM MDT

MISSOULA - A federal judge has accepted a plea agreement that drops murder-related charges against a man prosecutors allege ordered the killing of three women at a Florence hair salon eight years ago.

Lincoln Benavides pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distributing methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy accepted a plea agreement in which three counts each of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering were dropped.

The plea agreement, which calls for a 30-year prison term, was filed less than two weeks after defense attorneys filed a sealed motion alleging prosecutorial misconduct and outrageous government conduct.

Co-defendant Brian Weber has filed similar motions. The men were charged with the November 2001 deaths of Brenda Patch, Cynthia Paulus and Dorothy Harris and with running a drug ring.

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