Mississippi man sentenced to 2 life sentences without parole for murder of Officer Kennis Croom, Brittney Anderson - WVUA 23 (2024)

Dante Marquez Bender is being sent to Mississippi State Prison where he will serve two consecutive life sentences without parole for the murder of Tuscaloosa native, Meridian Police Officer Kennis Croom and Bender’s girlfriend Brittney Anderson.

On Wednesday, Bender appeared before Judge Charles W. Wright in Lauderdale County Court for his plea sentencing. Bender pleaded guilty to Count 1 Capital Murder and Count 2 Murder in the first degree.

Inside the courtroom

WVUA 23 News was in the courtroom for Bender’s sentencing hearing.

The hearing was scheduled for 2 p.m. Croom’s family, friends, Meridian Police Officers and the daughters of Brittney Anderson were among those in the courtroom. Dozens of MPD officers showed up to support the Crooms. Twenty minutes before the hearing started, law enforcement officers began filling the courtroom bench on the left and right side of the room.

The Croom family was surrounded with support on both sides of the aisle as they sat on the right side, behind the State Attorney’s bench. The entire right side of the room looked like the sea, as those who came to honor the fallen officer wore different shades of blue to signify and honor Croom’s service in law enforcement.

While the room anxiously awaited for Benders arrival, emotions varied amongst rows. There was laughter with those who reminisced on memories they had with the Tuscaloosa native. There were tears as those mourned and looked back on June 9, 2022.

Every time a side door opened, or you heard a door knob turn — the room would become still and heads would turn, expecting it to be Bender.

WVUA 23 News sat behind the defendants bench.

As the clock ticked closer to 2 p.m., a faint and distant dragging noise could be heard outside to the left of the room. The noise got louder, until one could make out the noise which sounded like metal chains thrashing against each other.

Finally the left door by the defendants desk opened, and Dante Bender entered the room in handcuffs, a red and white striped jail outfit, black glasses on his face, being escorted to his chair by two officers.

You could have heard a feather drop — the entire room became still and not a sound could be heard except for your heart beat and the breathes of the person sitting next to you.

Guilty plea and sentencing

Judge Wright called Bender and his attorneys up to the podium. Wright goes through a series of questioning, which Bender answered under oath. Before Wright sentenced Bender, he asked the State Attorney what evidence exists if the defendant does not plead guilty.

Mississippi’s District Attorney, Kassie Coleman said the the DA’s office strongest evidence came from Officer Croom’s body camera.

“The footage did show Dante Bender was the person who shot him and while you don’t see the death of Brittney, you do hear gun shots fired inside of the house before he shoots Officer Croom,”

Forensic evidence confirmed the gun used to shoot and kill Officer Croom and Anderson was used by Bender. The State also had witness testimony — Anderson’s daughters.

Coleman said while they had eye witnesses, the DA is thankful that those girls did not have to speak in front of a jury because the defendant pleaded guilty instead of going to trial.

“I believe that having to take the stand and testify would have certainly been even more traumatic — on top of what they’ve already been through,” Coleman said.

Anderson’s daughters were able to make victim statements at the sentencing. Two of her daughters headed to the podium to speak, but one of the sisters took over as the first sister couldn’t hold back her tears.

The other sister helped and began reading from their victim letter which in part said “you told my family you’d never hurt her,” and pointed out that her mother’s name is tattooed on his hand and when he looks down “[he’ll] always remember that day and remember that [he’s] a coward,” one daughter said.

Pastor Kelvin Croom gave his victim statement after Anderson’s daughter finished theirs. He started by thanking Meridian, the court, MPD, Lauderdale Sheriffs Office, and many more. Croom also said he did not have hate towards his son’s murderer.

“God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, who am I… if I cannot let my son go?” Croom said.

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