Minneapolis Man To Get Life For Backyard Slaying

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A 25-year-old Minneapolis man was convicted Tuesday of killing a man in his backyard in a robbery gone bad.

A Hennepin County jury convicted Diamond Lee Griffin on Tuesday of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.

He will be sentenced on Dec. 3 to life in prison, according to the county attorney, making him eligible for parole in 30 years. Prosecutors are asking he receive three consecutive life sentences.

On July 8, 2013, Griffin came to the home of Francisco Benitz-Hernandez, 38, on the 3600 block of Columbus Avenue South.

Griffin, accompanied by Ryan Grant pointed a gun at Benitz-Hernandez, his brother and his brother-in-law, who were sitting in the backyard.

When they said they didn't have any money or cell phones, Griffin began shooting, according to the criminal complaint.

Benitz-Hernandez was killed, his brother-in-law wounded in the arm.

Witnesses saw two men run to a car and drive away.