A Superior man facing a homicide charge for a Sept. 29 fatal stabbing in the city’s Central Park neighborhood was bound over for arraignment Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Douglas County Circuit Court.
Robert Lee Bennett III, 39, faces one count of first-degree intentional homicide for the death of his mother, Cindy Bennett. He remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.
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Roughly 18 family members attended the hearing, which included testimony from Superior police detectives Mike Jaszczak and Sean Holmgren.
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Jaszczak provided testimony about the physical evidence found at the residence where the incident occurred, 49 Norwood Ave., and the autopsy. Holmgren was the detective who questioned Robert Bennett. District Attorney Mark Fruehauf offered seven pictures into evidence, including pictures of the knife and meat thermometer that were used to stab Cindy Bennett.
Holmgren told the court that Robert Bennett initially talked about the incident as an accident, but later admitted to stabbing his mother multiple times. He told Holmgren that his mother was acting unnatural and wanted to take him to the hospital.
Robert Bennett had what appeared to be blood on his face, hands and clothing at the time of the interview, Holmgren said. He testified that when he asked Robert Bennett if he killed his mother, Bennett said “Yes. OK.”
When questioned by Public Defender Ellen Craker, Holmgren said he didn’t speak to anybody who saw Robert Bennett kill his mother, and he agreed that the Superior man had told him “She tried to get me, so I stabbed her.”
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Circuit Court Judge Kelly Thimm found probable cause to bind Robert Bennett over for arraignment Nov. 13. At the arraignment hearing, Robert Bennett will be formally charged and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
First-degree intentional homicide, the most serious crime in Wisconsin, is punishable by life imprisonment.
