Slain White Plains student honored with park bench

A park bench was dedicated Sunday at a White Plains high school in memory of a graduate whose killer was sentenced to die in Delaware.
Faculty members joined Lindsey Bonistall's family to dedicate the bench at the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School at 52 N. Broadway. She graduated from the school in 2003 before moving away to attend the University of Delaware. Bonistall was remembered for her academic and athletic abilities, as well as her beautiful spirit.
"We will come to this place often and it will give us a place to reflect and remember about Lindsey," the victim's mother, Kathleen Bonistall, said.
The high school also announced Sunday that students plan to create a scholarship for future students in memory of the slain woman.
The 20-year-old student was raped and murdered in May 2005 by James Cooke Jr. He then set Bonistall's apartment on fire. He was convicted in March and was sentenced to death on June 6. Cooke's attorney is appealing the sentence.
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