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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, March 6 App Finder: Nice nutrition apps Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford A chance to 'feel normal' Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Learn to protect yourself in free class on identity theft Emergency services Politics and Elections Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Education Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Medford schools superintendent gets high marks St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Motor-voter bill sent to Gov. Brown Mother blames deputies, stun guns for son's death Officials: High court ruling won't affect Oregon health care Nation - World Obituaries Robert Lee Bennett Paul Orvil Fallgreen Earl Dean King Gary Taylor Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 Moore is better for Bulls Rothfus leads St. Mary's into state semifinals Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Varsity 541 College Sports No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 SOU distance relay qualifies for NAIA finals Cougars hold off Ducks in tournament One step at a time Ducks have edge in Civil War victory Pro Sports Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews Moore is better for Bulls Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Holmes opens four-shot lead at WGC MLS ready to kick off its 20th season Community Sports Business Latest Stories New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Local businesses still feeling effects of port slowdown Real Estate News New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, March 6 Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness Arthur I. Cyr: Brutal murders in Russia a reminder and challenge Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 3 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Columns Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness George Will: Stopping the IRS Dana Milbank: Netanyahu's fighting words Kathleen Parker: The GOP — A tragedy in 52 acts Michael Gerson: Scott Walker's cynical comments on faith Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Fishing Report: Friday, March 6 Looking Up: Fiery red Betelgeuse shines bright Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break Columbia boaters face new distress rules Food Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Tips for a Pacific Northwest crab feed Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs (No heading) Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Music Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... GRANTS PASS Convicted rapist gets life without parole By Melissa McRobbie Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Melissa McRobbie Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:15 pm By Melissa McRobbie Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:15 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A repeat sex offender who was convicted of raping an acquaintance at her Grants Pass home a year ago was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Kieth James Benson, 43, of Grants Pass was sentenced under a state law that allows life without parole on a felony sex-crime conviction if the defendant already has two or more such convictions on his record. A Josephine County jury in January convicted Benson of first-degree rape and second-degree rape for assaulting the victim in her home on Northwest Highland Avenue last March. He also had prior sex-abuse convictions in 1998 and 2002. In arguing for that maximum sentence, new Josephine County District Attorney Ryan Mulkins told Circuit Judge Pat Wolke that Benson has a disturbing history marked by numerous instances of sexual abuse. "The reason that history is important is that it shows how defiant the defendant is, and it shows how dangerous he is," Mulkins said. The victim was present in court Wednesday morning, and Mulkins read aloud a statement she wrote expressing how much she suffered because of the rape. She said she couldn't talk to her young daughter about what happened. "All I could tell her when she would ask what was wrong was, 'I'm just tired,' " Mulkins read. Noting that Benson's last conviction was in 2002, defense attorney Rebecca Peterson said her client is remorseful about his crimes and was able to stay out of trouble for years. "The state talks about continual victimizing," Peterson said. "Well, that's not true." During those years, Benson underwent sex-offender treatment, became active in Alcoholics Anonymous, and worked as a janitor at the Hi-Lo Club, where he earned praise for his dedication to the job and for helping with fundraising campaigns and other activities. She argued against the life sentence, saying Benson shouldn't be classified as among the worst offenders, and that the abuse Mulkins described occurred when Benson was in his 20s and younger. As she spoke, a woman who was seated among the spectators began to sob quietly. Another woman put her arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Mulkins told Wolke that Benson is a "scary person" and that the risk of him re-offending is too great to allow him to be loose in the community. "He is incapable of being reformed. … There is something inside him that makes him do these things," Mulkins said. Reach reporter Melissa McRobbie at 541-474-3806 or [email protected]   By Melissa McRobbie Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Melissa McRobbie Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:15 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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