Benson Murder Suspect Makes First Court Appearance

Kenneth Jake Dawson made his first court appearance on April 1, 2024 in Smithfield. Photo by John Payne

SMITHFIELD – A Benson man charged in the shooting death of his father made his first appearance in court today (Monday).

Kenneth Jake Dawson reportedly shot and killed his father, Kenneth Wayne Dawson, age 50, around 6:45pm Friday inside the family home at 2493 NC Highway 242 North.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office arrested the 20 year-old suspect at the scene when they arrived.

Photo by Thomas Honeycutt

In court today, a judge denied bond for Kenneth Jake Dawson. He was assigned a court appointed attorney.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive.

3 COMMENTS

    • He is on the spectrum but I don’t know that it bares mentioning right now when the focus is on a lovely man being murdered. I do imagine that it will be brought up in his trial though and whether it will be a mitigating fact is up to a jury of his peers.

    • So just because he is autistic it justifies his act? Look at how yall white people defend each other…. BUT LET IT BE A HISPANIC PERSON AND ALL YOU ALL SAY IS SEND THOSE IMMIGRANTS BACK… PUT THE WALL UP…..

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