Inmate Who Attacked Hospital Staffer Found Not Guilty

The inmate was ordered to be committed to the North Dakota State Hospital for evaluation.

JAMESTOWN, N.D.–North Dakota State Hospital inmate who assaulted and attempted to murder a staff member in 2019 has been found not guilty.

Thirty-two-year-old Jason Benefiel was accused of choking, striking and kicking an employee at the hospital where he was a patient.

Southeast District Court, Judge Cherie Clark Wednesday found that Benefiel had, in fact, committed the crimes as charged, but concluded he was not criminally responsible because he doesn’t have the “substantial capacity or consequences of the conduct.”

Benefiel was ordered to be committed to the North Dakota State Hospital for evaluation with a final disposition scheduled for May 5.