ST. GEORGE – A 76-year-old Washington City man charged with murdering his wife made his first appearance in court Thursday.
David Keith Benson appeared in 5th District Court before Judge Eric Ludlow after being charged with first degree murder for killing his wife, Madelin Benson, Wednesday morning.
According to court documents, Benson contacted a family member claiming he had just killed his wife. The police were called and Benson was arrested at his home without incident. Madelin Benson was found deceased in the kitchen where she had been beaten with a hammer.
The court documents also state that Benson told police officers he didn’t know why he had committed the act. He is also described as having “continual homicidal thoughts towards others and himself” at the time.
Benson is currently being held at the Washington County Jail. His bail has been set at $500,000 cash, no bond. Conviction for first degree murder carries a sentence of no less than 15 years to life in prison.
Benson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 13.
Ed. note: Persons arrested are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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