SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A second man involved in a 2017 double murder case in Somerset County has had his conviction and sentence upheld by the state Superior Court.

Marekus Benson and Samson Washington both received life sentences after being found guilty of 1st degree homicide and criminal conspiracy in the deaths of Damian Staniszewski and James Smith.

Authorities say their bodies were found dumped along Ligonier Pike, in September of 2017.

Prosecutors argued that three men, Benson, Washington and Devon Wyrick, had reportedly conspired to kill the two victims after they allegedly broke into a Johnstown stash house that belonged to the Ohio-based East Main Money Gang.

Last week, the court upheld Washington's life sentence and now, court records show that the judges ruled the same against Benson.

Like Washington, Benson attempted to appeal his conviction, arguing that prosecutors made several errors during the trial and he also challenged some of the evidence used against him.

On Thursday, the state Superior Court ruled against Benson and upheld his conviction and sentencing.

He is serving his life sentence at SCI Huntingdon.

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