Marijuana Dealer Sentenced to 52 Years for Killing Girlfriend

RIVERSIDE - A Riverside marijuana dealer who fatally shot his 15- year-old girlfriend in the face during an argument was sentenced today to 52 years to life in prison.

Benjamin James Boatman, 23, was convicted on July 1 of first-degree murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, as well as an allegation of committing a felony while on bail, in the March 18, 2010, death of Rebecca Marth.

He was also separately convicted of possessing illegal drugs for sale.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Elisabeth Sichel imposed the maximum punishment on all counts.

According t...