A judge on Friday raised the bond for Michael Benson from $1 million to $2 million. Benson is charged in the shooting death of truck driver James Womack last September during a traffic altercation at 60th and L.
Authorities say Womack left his truck, walked over to a pickup and was shot. Benson was arrested five days later and booked as an accessory to a felony. He was jailed on that charge when prosecutors upped the charges this week and he was booked for second degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
If convicted of the murder charge, he could face up to 20 years to life. Benson’s fiancée, Deja Jefferson, said the, “charges are ridiculous,” after court on Friday. She told 6 News she thinks the bond is excessive for, “something he didn’t do,” and said she doesn’t think he was even in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April.