Man accused of shooting at police due in court
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Charles Benson, the man accused of firing shots at a Fort Wayne police officer is expected in court this morning for a pre-trial hearing.
Benson’s case is set for a 2-day trial starting June 1.
Court documents said Benson was the passenger in a car when it was pulled over by police in January on Lewis Street. Police said Benson ran from the car, eventually getting into a shootout with a police officer.
Prosecutors have filed multiple felony charges against the 26-year-old, including:
- Attempted murder
- Resisting law enforcement but the defendant draws or uses a deadly weapon,
- Criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
- Habitual offender
- Firearm used in commission of offense
In April, the court denied Benson’s request to reduce bond. He is still in the Allen County Jail awaiting trial.
Benson beat a 2014 murder charge in the death of John Holman. Holman’s murder was caught on video surveillance from a home on Eby Street. The death of a key witness forced prosecutors to drop the charge.
According to criminal records, Benson has been in and out of jail since 2009, on battery convictions, and drugs and weapons convictions.