Bridgton man sentenced to 48 years for 2023 murder of his girlfriend

PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) - A Maine man who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend has been sentenced to serve 48 years in prison.

Eric Knight, 50, of Bridgton, was sentenced Monday in connection with the November 2023 death of Benita Preo.

Police said Knight and Preo were in a relationship and lived together in a rented home on Pond Road in Bridgton.

On Nov. 25, 2023, two days after Thanksgiving, officers found Preo’s body at the home. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta ruled Preo’s death a homicide.

Knight was arrested on March 9, 2024, one day after he was indicted on one count of depraved indifference murder by a Cumberland County grand jury.

On the day of Knight’s initial court appearance on March 11, 2024, neighbors told Maine’s Total Coverage that the couple’s situation was volatile, dysfunctional, and abusive. The couple’s next-door neighbor recalled an incident a few weeks before Preo’s death when Preo banged on her window and was screaming: “He’s going to kill me.”

Knight was found guilty of depraved indifference murder by a jury two months ago, according to our media partners WMTW.

Preo, 51, was a mother of four who had 16 grandchildren. During Knight’s sentencing hearing on Monday, Preo’s daughters delivered victim impact statements, one of whom spoke about how she was denied the chance to rebuild a relationship with her mother.

“I just want to let you know, Eric, personally, that you took something away from me that I have prayed for my whole life. And I honestly hope you rot,” said Dominique Eirby, Preo’s eldest daughter.

Knight addressed Preo’s family during the hearing and asked for their forgiveness.

State prosecutors requested a sentence of 53 years for Knight given his lengthy criminal history, while the defense called the couple’s relationship toxic and requested a sentence more in line with a manslaughter charge.

The judge called Knight’s actions violent and aggressive while handing down the sentence.