A Montana man has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the tragic killings of his wife and a bartender, both of whom he suspected were having an affair. Kraig Walter Benson, now 50, received a 140-year prison sentence on Friday for the deaths of his wife, Jenny Benson, 49, and bartender Logan Gardner, 43. The court found him guilty in October 2024 on two counts of deliberate homicide.
The courtroom was filled with emotional statements from the victims’ families. Jenny Benson’s father confronted Kraig directly, wishing him a miserable life behind bars. Kraig’s own daughter shared her fear, saying she no longer felt safe knowing he was out in the world.
Even within Kraig’s family, the tragedy left a deep divide. His sister, Kris Norton, expressed mixed emotions. “Kraig isn’t just my brother but someone I’ve always admired,” she said. “What he did doesn’t reflect the person I know. It’s heartbreaking to see my nieces lose their mom in this way, and the anger it has brought into our family only makes it worse.”
The horrifying events took place on August 27, 2023, at the Four Aces Bar in Superior, Montana. Surveillance footage captured everything. That evening, Kraig and Jenny were seated together at a table in the bar. At some point, Kraig stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. He then retrieved a gun from his wife’s Chevrolet Tahoe and returned inside.
What happened next was devastating. At 9:19 p.m., video footage shows Kraig walking back to their table, where Jenny was seated. Without warning, he pulled a gun from his waistband and shot her in the head. Panic spread through the bar as patrons rushed for the exits. Kraig then turned the gun on Logan Gardner, who tried to retreat toward the front door. Kraig shot Logan multiple times, even as he fell to the floor. He then fired another shot at Jenny as she lay on the ground.
After the attack, Kraig placed the gun on the bar and left in the Tahoe. Authorities quickly apprehended him after spotting his vehicle with a flat tire driving erratically on a highway in Missoula County.
During his trial, Kraig testified in his own defense, attempting to explain his actions. He claimed that before the shooting, Jenny told him she wasn’t going home with him but with Logan instead. “I think that’s why I went outside,” Kraig said during cross-examination. “I came back to have one last conversation.”
At his sentencing, Kraig broke down in tears as he apologized to his family. “To my friends and family, thank you for your support,” he said. “To my children, I love you more than life itself. I, too, lost my best friend that night—the love of my life.”
Jenny Benson was remembered as a devoted mother and a passionate professional. She owned a horse stable and ranch and worked as a commercial real estate appraiser. Her obituary described her as someone who took immense pride in raising her daughters, Paige and Tailor Benson, and cherished her dogs and horses.
Logan Gardner was celebrated for his kind and friendly nature. A joint GoFundMe page set up for both victims described Logan as someone who could light up a room with his big smile. “He was a great listener, a loyal friend, and always ready to help anyone in need,” the page shared.
This tragedy has left two families shattered and a community mourning the loss of two lives taken far too soon.
