stood to benefit

[XINLAI-UE]

Hi,

I was wondering if somebody could take a look for me at this one-stood to benefit. What does it mean in this context? I am not sure I exactly get it.

And N says-out of the picture. Does he mean the " a lot people" out of the picture, or "Steadman" out the picture?

Thanks for your help.




N: Doesn't take a judge. All it takes is a little special attention from one of his clerks. But how Lincoln got fast-tracked doesn't interest me. It's why. If he was set up, then why?
V: I think the answer to that might lie in the victim. What do we know? He was the CEO of EcoField, right? He was pushing alternative energy.
N: Successfully pushing alternative energy. So, oil companies, the Saudis, even, even our own government... a lot of people stood to benefit with Steadman out of the picture. Why did you wait till now to take up this case?
...

[colloquium]

It means that with Steadman not there, with him not being around, a lot of people would have been better off, they would have benefited from the situation - from his absence.

And yes, it does refer to Steadman being out of the picture.

I'm not a teacher.