HELENA-WEST HELENA - A Helena-West Helena man is being held in the Lee County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond after police said he shot and killed his brother during an argument about clothing.
Christopher Bennett, 26, is to make a first appearance in Phillips County Circuit Court on Jan. 17, according to court documents. He faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
Police said his brother, John Bennett, 20, died at a Helena-West Helena hospital from gunshot wounds to his upper body.
A witness said that shortly after he and John Bennett arrived at the home of Charles Bennett, another brother, to pick up some clothes Dec. 9, they were confronted by Christopher Bennett, who began arguing with John Bennett, according to police documents.
The witness said Christopher Bennett told John Bennett that he could not pick up the clothes and ordered him to leave the property.
The witness told police hethen saw Christopher Bennett pull a gun and try to hit John Bennett in the head with it, but John Bennett grabbed his brother by the neck and “rushed him into the house,” according to police documents.
Moments later, the witness said he heard two gunshots and saw John Bennett fall face-first just outside the home’s front door, according to police.
According to an autopsy report, John Bennett’s lungs and heart were severely damaged by the gunshots.
Arkansas, Pages 15 on 12/21/2013