May 3, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 17 . . Violent Predator’s Past Not Disclosed? FROM PAGE 16 she was the director, and she told her family she would be late. Burton was also working as a custodian at the church that night. Shortly before 9 a.m. the next day, June 15, Worcester Central received a 911 call reporting the discovery of the body of a deceased woman in an embankment off Swamp Road, a dirt road east of Nelson Road near Whaleyville. DNA evidence gathered by crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division ultimately connected Burton to the crime. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore determined Bennett was murdered and had been asphyxiated. Autopsy evidence also indicated Bennett was already dead when her body was abandoned. Only after the grand jury indictment in Worcester County last August did it come to light she had also been allegedly sexually assaulted and raped by the suspect. According to the suit filed by Bennett family attorney Bart Dalton on April 17, Tice and church officials should be held partly responsible for Nicole Bennett’s death because they were aware of Burton’s violent past and allowed him to continue to work at the church for another two weeks. “It had become known to the defendants approximately two weeks earlier that Burton had been previously charged with multiple rape counts and had pled guilty, was on probation and registered as a sex offender,” the complaint reads. “Nicole Bennett and Burton were left alone at Bay Shore that evening. Although the defendants knew of Burton’s dangerous proclivities and had, in fact, terminated Burton’s employment because of this information, Bay Shore did not in any way notify any of their employees about Burton.” The complaint paints a grim picture of Bennett being left alone at night at the church with the defendant, a convicted and registered sexual predator. “They actually gave Burton two additional weeks of employment,” the complaint reads. “On the last day of those two additional weeks, Burton was left alone at night with Nicole Bennett. Nicole Bennett was murdered that night.” According to the complaint, Bennett and other employees at the church were never made aware of the dangerous predator in their midst. “At all relevant times, the defendants had actual knowledge of Burton’s violent history and nevertheless failed to warn Nicole Bennett about his dangerous propensities while simultaneously allowing Nicole Bennett to be left alone with Burton while both were engaged in their duties at Bay Shore,” the complaint reads. “All defendants are jointly and severally liable for the death of Nicole Bennett.” Summer Beach Condominiums 3 35TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MD WWW.SUMMERBEACHOC.COM John Quinn Associate Broker 443-235-9444 johnquinn.oc@gmail.com Diana Whittington Realtor 410-603-5627 dwhit61@mchsi.com Beach Front Property at 35th Street with Ocean Front and Ocean View 1, 2, and 3 Bedroom Condos Available for Rent. On-site pool, parking garage (2 spaces per unit), and year-round management office. Walking distance to Beach, Boardwalk, Amusements, Restaurants and Convention Center. UNITS FOR SALE! #307 – 2BR/2BA, full balcony, furnished, good rental history. $285,500 #304 – 2BR/2BA, full balcony, furnished, good investment. $323,000 #706– 2BR/2BA, full balcony, furnished, excellent rental. $335,000 ONTRACT UNDER C OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, MAY 4 & SUNDAY, MAY 5 1 P .M.-3 P .M. OR CALL FOR APPOINTMENT 410-289-0727 Managed by Sea Gate Sales & Rentals Seaside Country Store “The Most Unusual Store On The Shore” Fresh-Made Fudge Gourmet Foods & Cheeses Unique Clothing Antiques & Collectibles Exceptional Gifts THE SEASIDE COUNTRY STORE OPEN DAILY 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. “Delmarva’s Most Popular Shopping Experience!” www.seasidecountrystore.com 1208 Coastal Hwy. Fenwick Island, DE 19944 302-539-6110 Established In 1969 Find Us On Facebook NOW SOLAR POWERED