Bail denied for crash suspect

On one side of the courtroom, there was heartbreak, while on the other side, there were sighs of relief, as Judge Kathleen Williams announced her decision to deny bail to Richard Edward Benson in St. Paul court on Nov. 1.

In a lengthy decision, Williams went over the reasons to grant or deny bail to Benson, the 46-year-old St. Paul suspect in an Oct. 25 crash that saw a van plunge into a Grade 6 Racette classroom, pinning three 11-year-old girls under the vehicle, killing one and critically injuring two others. Benson is facing one count of criminal negligence causing death, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, a count of resisting arrest and a count of possession of marijuana.

“Mr. Benson, your bail is denied,” she told him.

Upon the decision, there were a couple of sighs of relief from those impacted by the accident, and a whispered thanks. On the other side of the courtroom, sobs erupted amongst Benson’s family, and one or two of them cried out, “I love you, Dad.”

Benson briefly waved to his children before he was escorted out.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 13.