North Dakota man on trial this week for 2020 officer shootings in Delafield

A North Dakota man is on trial this week, dealing with two counts of tried homicide stemming from a November 2020 incident during which two cops have been shot in Delafield.

Nathanael Benton, 25, can be dealing with a further felony cost of possession of firearm by an out-of-state felon. Benton was in court docket Tuesday as officers who responded to the scene, together with one of many the 2 who have been shot, testified.

Delafield Officer Doug Burke stated he and the three different officers have been responding to a 911 name a couple of hit-and-run involving a pickup truck and an indication on Golf Street early Nov. 6, 2020. Officers responded at about 1:38 a.m. to the Vacation Inn in Delafield, the place they reportedly confronted Benton, a feminine and one other male as a part of the investigation.

Whereas Burke went to examine a close by space, two officers stayed with the topics, and photographs have been fired. Burke returned to the Vacation Inn to seek out Delafield Police Officer Michael Henning shot within the leg, and later discovered Hartland Police Officer Matthew Seeger, who had been shot thrice. Two of these photographs hit his vest and one went by way of his hip.

Burke tended to the wounded officers whereas a manhunt started for Benton, who had fled on foot. Officers from throughout Waukesha, Washington and Milwaukee counties, in addition to the Wisconsin State Patrol, helped within the search. He was captured a number of hours later, lower than a mile from the scene of the capturing.

Seeger was additionally on the stand Tuesday morning.

He recalled staying with Henning to interview the three suspects. Seeger stated he noticed Benton pull a gun from his waistband and hearth. Whereas drawing his gun, Seeger stated, he was shot.

Burke discovered him minutes later and tended to him. Seeger briefly blacked out earlier than coming to a couple of minute later, in response to physique cam footage proven to the jury.

Seeger stated the wound to his hip has required 4 surgical procedures, left 11 scars, put him right into a coma for 2 days and has left him in fixed ache.

Due to the accidents, he’s unable to serve with the police division anymore, he informed the jury.

Benton additionally faces a separate felony cost for an incident on the Waukesha County Jail, the place he’s accused of attacking a fellow inmate, in response to court docket data. He was charged in reference to that incident on Dec. 29, 2021, accused of stabbing the person in his cell. He has been charged with tried first-degree intentional murder, throwing bodily substances, battery by prisoners, all felonies, and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He’s scheduled to go to trial on these prices in July.

Benton can be a registered intercourse offender and has been sought in reference to an tried homicide in North Dakota.

Drew Dawson might be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.