Eddie Bennett
Laura Beneway
Three people have been arrested on two counts each of first-degree murder for the death of 57-year-old Patrick Williamson of Mt. Vernon.
Williamson was found dead inside a home in the 600 block of South 15th Street with visible signs of injury. Mt Vernon Police Chief Roger Brands says it appears robbery may have been the motive.
The investigation linked three persons to the death. 60-year-old Laura Lee Beneway of Bonnie, 67-year-old Eddie Bennett of Mt. Vernon and 66-year-old Peter Harris of Mt. Vernon. All three are charged with two counts of first-degree murder with forcible felony of robbery. Beneway and Harris are charged with first degree murder (act of probability of death). Beneway and Harris are also charged with obstructing justice.
Brands says it does not appear any gun or knife was involved and Williamson likely died as a result of a beating. An autopsy has been scheduled by Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse for Thursday to try and further determine the cause of death. Hayse pronounced Williamson dead at the scene.
Two of the three were initially arrested, while a third was taken into custody after the Mt. Vernon Police/Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office High Risk Team executed a search warrant in a home in the 500 block of South 17th.
The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department at 618-242-2131 or Jefferson County Crime Stoppers at 618-242-TIPS.
