THE DARK SIDE OF IOWA
Lon Bennett
#1134273
Full Name: Lon Joseph Bennett
DOB: July 17, 1972
Charge: Attempted murder
County: Hamilton
City: Webster City
Current Status: Fort Dodge Correctional Facility
Date of Crime: October 19, 1998
Tentative Discharge Date: August 5, 2024
Victim: Sony Bennett
DOB: July 17, 1972
Charge: Attempted murder
County: Hamilton
City: Webster City
Current Status: Fort Dodge Correctional Facility
Date of Crime: October 19, 1998
Tentative Discharge Date: August 5, 2024
Victim: Sony Bennett
On October 19, 1998, Sonya Harms Bennett finished her shift at a a convenience store at midnight. She left the building through the back entrance, threw a bag of garbage into the outdoor receptacle and walked toward her car. As she approached her vehicle, she was attacked from behind and thrown to the ground. The attacker straddled her hips, stabbing her repeatedly in the face, neck and chest and slicing her neck. Sonya was prevented from calling for help by the man's hand lodged in her mouth. During the attack, the perpetrator told Sonya the attack was in retribution for alleged relationships she had with other men. Sonya recognized her attacker as her estranged husband.
While the attack was occurring, Dennis Morey was waiting at the convenience store to see Sonya as she ended her shift. As he waited, he saw movement from the area by Sonya's vehicle. He approached the scene and was told by a man crouched over Sonya that she was hurt. Dennis ran inside to seek help. Lon Bennett, Sonya's estranged husband, fled the scene. Sonya made her way into the store and immediately stated, "Lon did it."
Police arrived and Sonya again stated that Lon committed the attack and told them his current address, at the residence of his parents. Officers immediately went to the address given and knocked on the door. Lon's father, Gene, answered the door and spoke with the officers. After inquiring whether Lon was home, the officers were told he was asleep. Officers then asked if they could speak to him and were told they could.
One officer testified that Gene held the door open and stepped back to allow the officers entry. After they entered the home, they followed Gene down the hall. Gene called to Lon that the police wanted to talk to him and he emerged from the bathroom. He was wet, as if he had just rinsed off or was very sweaty, and had fresh scratched son his face.
Next, the officers asked permission to search the basement. Lon's parents agreed, even turning on the light for them. In the basement, the officers found wet shoes and a stepladder placed in front of an unlatched window. Additionally, they seized clothing containing wet blood stains and a gym bag holding a small wooden club, a mask, leather gloves with the fingers cut out, a roll of duct tape and a full can of charcoal lighter fluid.
Sonya, although critically injured, survived the attack and testified at trial against Lon. He was convicted of attempted murder and willful injury.
While the attack was occurring, Dennis Morey was waiting at the convenience store to see Sonya as she ended her shift. As he waited, he saw movement from the area by Sonya's vehicle. He approached the scene and was told by a man crouched over Sonya that she was hurt. Dennis ran inside to seek help. Lon Bennett, Sonya's estranged husband, fled the scene. Sonya made her way into the store and immediately stated, "Lon did it."
Police arrived and Sonya again stated that Lon committed the attack and told them his current address, at the residence of his parents. Officers immediately went to the address given and knocked on the door. Lon's father, Gene, answered the door and spoke with the officers. After inquiring whether Lon was home, the officers were told he was asleep. Officers then asked if they could speak to him and were told they could.
One officer testified that Gene held the door open and stepped back to allow the officers entry. After they entered the home, they followed Gene down the hall. Gene called to Lon that the police wanted to talk to him and he emerged from the bathroom. He was wet, as if he had just rinsed off or was very sweaty, and had fresh scratched son his face.
Next, the officers asked permission to search the basement. Lon's parents agreed, even turning on the light for them. In the basement, the officers found wet shoes and a stepladder placed in front of an unlatched window. Additionally, they seized clothing containing wet blood stains and a gym bag holding a small wooden club, a mask, leather gloves with the fingers cut out, a roll of duct tape and a full can of charcoal lighter fluid.
Sonya, although critically injured, survived the attack and testified at trial against Lon. He was convicted of attempted murder and willful injury.
Source: Case Text
