Benfield found guilty of lesser charges
Published 6:40 pm Saturday, December 11, 2021
- Star Photo/Nic Miller Chad Benfield, who was charged with first-degree murder in 2017, gives his testimony to the jury before closing arguments on Friday.
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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com
After deliberating both Friday night and well into Saturday afternoon, a jury found Chad Benfield not guilty of first degree murder in the 2017 death of an elderly woman, and instead found him guilty of a lesser charge.
The verdict was returned about 3 p.m.
In it, the jury found Benfield not guilty of two counts of first degree murder and instead found him guilty of two counts of criminally negligent homicide.
Judge Lisa Rice set a sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14. However, she said Benfield may have served much of his sentence – which could range from one to six years.
Benfield was charged in a July 2017 home break-in and assault of 87-year-old Mary Nolen, who died as a result of her injuries.
For complete trial coverage, go to www.elizabethton.com.
Benfield Murder Trial concludes after long Friday deliberation
