Erika Elaine Sifrit (née Grace; born February 3, 1978) and Benjamin Adam "BJ" Sifrit (born October 21, 1977) are an American couple convicted of murdering two tourists, Joshua Edward Ford and Martha Margene "Geney" Crutchley, in Ocean City, Maryland, in 2002. The case drew substantial media attention. In 2003, both Sifrits were convicted of the murders.
Erika Elaine Grace was born in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, to Charlotte Gail (Klotz) and Gerald Mitchell Grace. Benjamin Adam Sifrit was born in Estherville, Iowa, to Elizabeth Ann (Graves) and Craig Arthur Sifrit. Erika and Benjamin married in 1998, when they were both 20 years old. She was an honors student and basketball star at Mary Washington College. Benjamin completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training class 212 in 1997, but due to bad conduct discharge for repeatedly being absent without leave, insubordination, poor performance and wearing unauthorized insignia, had his Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) revoked.
Shortly after marrying, the Sifrits moved near Erika's hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania. There, they opened and operated a scrapbook store.[4]
Murders
On May 25, 2002, the Sifrits, both 24 at the time, met another couple, Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley, a vacationing couple from Fairfax, Virginia. After a night of partying together at the Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City, Maryland, the two couples went back to the Sifrits' condominium located in The Rainbow on 112th Street. According to records, the Sifrits claimed that Ford and Crutchley stole Erika's purse, and Benjamin pulled a gun on the couple. After retreating to the bathroom, Ford was fatally shot four times with Erika's gun. Crutchley was also killed; investigators believe that she was stabbed, but the official cause of death could not be determined from her remains. The bodies were then dismembered and disposed of in a grocery store dumpster in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The remains were transferred to a nearby landfill, where they were recovered by searchers nine days later.[4]
Arrests and trials
The Sifrits were arrested on May 31, 2002, when they were caught burglarizing a Hooters restaurant. When police searched Erika's purse, they uncovered the drivers' licenses of Ford and Crutchley, who at that point had been reported missing for days. Erika confessed to murdering the couple shortly after her apprehension, but claimed the idea was her husband's.[4]
Because of the heavy publicity of the case, the Sifrits' trials were moved out of Worcester County, Maryland. Benjamin's trial was held in Rockville, and Erika's was held in Frederick.[5] At Benjamin's 2003 trial, a 22-year-old woman named Melissa Seling testified that she was subjected to the same ritual that Joshua and Martha endured, although she was able to avoid being killed.[4] On April 9, 2003, Benjamin was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Crutchley, and was acquitted of all charges in the death of Joshua Ford.[5] He was later sentenced to thirty-eight years in prison.[6][7] Erika's trial started shortly afterwards, on June 3, 2003.[8] On June 11, she was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Ford and second-degree murder in the death of Crutchley, and was later sentenced to life imprisonment plus twenty years.[6][7]
Aftermath
In March 2010, Benjamin Sifrit filed for divorce, which was granted in August 2010.[3]
Both Sifrits have filed numerous appeals, all of which have failed. Benjamin exhausted his last appeal in 2010.[9] Erika's appeal, citing ineffectiveness of counsel,[10] was denied in 2014.[11]
Benjamin Sifrit became eligible for parole in 2021. His first parole request was refused in April 2022. If he is not granted parole, he will be released from prison in 2040. Erika Sifrit will be eligible for parole in 2024.[12]
^ abAugenstein, Neil (August 12, 2010). . WTOP News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
^ abcdHewitt, Bill (June 9, 2003). "Thrill Killers?". People. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
^ ab. WBAL-TV. April 10, 2003. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
^ abBarker, Jeff (June 11, 2003). "Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing". The Baltimore Sun. from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
^ ab"Erika Sifrit Describes O.C. Tourist Murders". WBAL-TV. September 2, 2004. Retrieved June 1, 2011 – via Narkive Newsgroup Archive.
^"Double Murder Trial Begins for Erika Sifrit". WBAL-TV. June 3, 2003. Retrieved June 1, 2011.[permanent dead link]
^Lash, Steve (2010). "B. Sifrit shifts attack on murder conviction from state court in Md". The Daily Record. Retrieved June 1, 2011.[dead link]
^Augenstein, Neal (April 1, 2012). "Erika Sifrit cites lawyer failure, seeks new trial". WTOP News. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
^DispatchAdmin (October 16, 2014). "Fed Judge Denies Erika Sifrit Appeal; Decision Likely Exhausts Challenges". The Dispatch. Ocean City, Maryland. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
^Augenstein, Neal (April 29, 2022). "Benjamin Sifrit refused parole in 2002 killing of Fairfax couple in Ocean City". WTOP News. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
^Powell, Nancy (July 10, 2009). . Ocean City Today. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
January 06, 2023
erika, benjamin, sifrit, erika, elaine, sifrit, née, grace, born, february, 1978, benjamin, adam, sifrit, born, october, 1977, american, couple, convicted, murdering, tourists, joshua, edward, ford, martha, margene, geney, crutchley, ocean, city, maryland, 200. Erika Elaine Sifrit nee Grace born February 3 1978 and Benjamin Adam BJ Sifrit born October 21 1977 are an American couple convicted of murdering two tourists Joshua Edward Ford and Martha Margene Geney Crutchley in Ocean City Maryland in 2002 The case drew substantial media attention In 2003 both Sifrits were convicted of the murders Erika SifritBornErika Elaine Grace 1978 02 03 February 3 1978 age 44 Roaring Spring Pennsylvania U S NationalityAmericanCriminal statusIncarcerated at Maryland Correctional Institution for WomenSpouseBenjamin Sifrit m 1998 div 2010 wbr Criminal chargeFirst degree murder second degree murderPenaltyLife plus 20 yearsDetailsVictims2DateMay 25 2002CountryUnited StatesState s MarylandKilledJoshua FordMartha Geney CrutchleyDate apprehendedMay 31 2002 20 years ago 2002 05 31 Benjamin SifritBornBenjamin Adam Sifrit 1977 10 21 October 21 1977 age 45 Estherville Iowa U S NationalityAmericanOther namesB J SifritCriminal statusIncarcerated at Roxbury Correctional InstitutionSpouseErika Sifrit m 1998 div 2010 wbr Criminal chargeSecond degree murder first degree assaultPenalty38 yearsDetailsVictims1DateMay 25 2002CountryUnited StatesState s MarylandKilledMartha Geney CrutchleyDate apprehendedMay 31 2002 20 years ago 2002 05 31 Benjamin Sifrit is currently serving 38 years at the Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown Maryland while Erika is serving a life sentence plus 20 years at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup 1 2 Married in 1998 the Sifrits divorced in 2010 3 Contents 1 Early lives 2 Murders 3 Arrests and trials 4 Aftermath 5 In popular culture 6 ReferencesEarly lives EditErika Elaine Grace was born in Roaring Spring Pennsylvania to Charlotte Gail Klotz and Gerald Mitchell Grace Benjamin Adam Sifrit was born in Estherville Iowa to Elizabeth Ann Graves and Craig Arthur Sifrit Erika and Benjamin married in 1998 when they were both 20 years old She was an honors student and basketball star at Mary Washington College Benjamin completed Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL BUD S training class 212 in 1997 but due to bad conduct discharge for repeatedly being absent without leave insubordination poor performance and wearing unauthorized insignia had his Navy Enlisted Classification NEC 5326 Combatant Swimmer SEAL revoked Shortly after marrying the Sifrits moved near Erika s hometown of Altoona Pennsylvania There they opened and operated a scrapbook store 4 Murders EditOn May 25 2002 the Sifrits both 24 at the time met another couple Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley a vacationing couple from Fairfax Virginia After a night of partying together at the Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City Maryland the two couples went back to the Sifrits condominium located in The Rainbow on 112th Street According to records the Sifrits claimed that Ford and Crutchley stole Erika s purse and Benjamin pulled a gun on the couple After retreating to the bathroom Ford was fatally shot four times with Erika s gun Crutchley was also killed investigators believe that she was stabbed but the official cause of death could not be determined from her remains The bodies were then dismembered and disposed of in a grocery store dumpster in Rehoboth Beach Delaware The remains were transferred to a nearby landfill where they were recovered by searchers nine days later 4 Arrests and trials EditThe Sifrits were arrested on May 31 2002 when they were caught burglarizing a Hooters restaurant When police searched Erika s purse they uncovered the drivers licenses of Ford and Crutchley who at that point had been reported missing for days Erika confessed to murdering the couple shortly after her apprehension but claimed the idea was her husband s 4 Because of the heavy publicity of the case the Sifrits trials were moved out of Worcester County Maryland Benjamin s trial was held in Rockville and Erika s was held in Frederick 5 At Benjamin s 2003 trial a 22 year old woman named Melissa Seling testified that she was subjected to the same ritual that Joshua and Martha endured although she was able to avoid being killed 4 On April 9 2003 Benjamin was convicted of second degree murder and first degree assault in the death of Crutchley and was acquitted of all charges in the death of Joshua Ford 5 He was later sentenced to thirty eight years in prison 6 7 Erika s trial started shortly afterwards on June 3 2003 8 On June 11 she was convicted of first degree murder in the death of Ford and second degree murder in the death of Crutchley and was later sentenced to life imprisonment plus twenty years 6 7 Aftermath EditIn March 2010 Benjamin Sifrit filed for divorce which was granted in August 2010 3 Both Sifrits have filed numerous appeals all of which have failed Benjamin exhausted his last appeal in 2010 9 Erika s appeal citing ineffectiveness of counsel 10 was denied in 2014 11 Benjamin Sifrit became eligible for parole in 2021 His first parole request was refused in April 2022 If he is not granted parole he will be released from prison in 2040 Erika Sifrit will be eligible for parole in 2024 12 In popular culture EditThe Sifrit case has been profiled on American Justice Deadly Women Forensic Files Sins and Secrets Snapped and True Crime Daily In July 2009 a book entitled Cruel Death written by M William Phelps was released about the case 13 References Edit Maryland DOC Inmate Locator Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Maryland DOC Inmate Locator Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services a b Augenstein Neil August 12 2010 Court officer changes mind OKs Sifrit divorce WTOP News Archived from the original on October 12 2012 Retrieved June 1 2011 a b c d Hewitt Bill June 9 2003 Thrill Killers People Retrieved June 1 2011 a b Jury Reaches Verdict in Sifrit Case WBAL TV April 10 2003 Archived from the original on March 15 2012 Retrieved June 1 2011 a b Barker Jeff June 11 2003 Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double killing The Baltimore Sun Archived from the original on June 24 2021 Retrieved June 1 2011 a b Erika Sifrit Describes O C Tourist Murders WBAL TV September 2 2004 Retrieved June 1 2011 via Narkive Newsgroup Archive Double Murder Trial Begins for Erika Sifrit WBAL TV June 3 2003 Retrieved June 1 2011 permanent dead link Lash Steve 2010 B Sifrit shifts attack on murder conviction from state court in Md The Daily Record Retrieved June 1 2011 dead link Augenstein Neal April 1 2012 Erika Sifrit cites lawyer failure seeks new trial WTOP News Retrieved April 2 2012 DispatchAdmin October 16 2014 Fed Judge Denies Erika Sifrit Appeal Decision Likely Exhausts Challenges The Dispatch Ocean City Maryland Retrieved January 18 2016 Augenstein Neal April 29 2022 Benjamin Sifrit refused parole in 2002 killing of Fairfax couple in Ocean City WTOP News Retrieved April 29 2022 Powell Nancy July 10 2009 Story of infamous 02 resort murder now told in book Ocean City Today Archived from the original on June 29 2011 Retrieved June 1 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Erika and Benjamin Sifrit amp oldid 1118287160, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
