In the pre-dawn hours of Christmas Day 2020, a tragic home invasion in Riverdale, Utah, claimed the life of 36-year-old White male, Trevor Anthony Martin. The violent encounter unfolded inside the mobile home Martin shared with his girlfriend, Angela Rowley, and her four daughters. While Rowley was wrapping Christmas presents, two armed men forced their way into the residence with the intent to rob them.
The intruders were identified as Liam Gale, who had a previous acquaintance with
Martin, and a 16-year-old named Rayburn Bennett. A physical struggle ensued, during which Bennett shot Martin multiple times. Gale also fired his weapon at Martin, who collapsed and died at the base of the family's Christmas tree. As the assailants fled, Bennett shot Rowley in the face, causing severe injuries to her jaw that would require extensive medical intervention. The couple's children were in the home at the time and witnessed the traumatic events, calling 911 for help.
An investigation quickly led to the identification of three suspects. The getaway driver, Brittany Ann Rogers, was arrested, along with the teenage gunman, Rayburn Bennett. The third suspect, Liam Gale, was apprehended a few days later. All three faced multiple felony charges, including murder and attempted murder.
The legal proceedings revealed that Rogers, who was Gale's girlfriend, drove the two men to Martin's home knowing they planned to commit a robbery. Bennett, who was 16 at the time, was reportedly manipulated by the older Gale, who was 31. In the end, all three were convicted for their roles in the fatal Christmas morning attack. Rayburn Bennett pleaded guilty to murder and attempted aggravated murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Brittany Rogers was found guilty by a jury on several counts, including murder, and received a sentence of at least 20 years to life. For his central role in orchestrating the crime, a jury found Liam Gale guilty of aggravated murder, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
