White River Junction
David M. Benson pleaded not guilty to that charge and an accompanying misdemeanor count of interfering with access to emergency services on Tuesday in Windsor Superior Court.
According to a police affidavit filed in the case, Benson allegedly physically assaulted his 23-year-old son, Shadoe, inside their Royalton home. The incident started over uncompleted chores, court documents indicate.
Police responded to a 911 call at the Route 107 home around 8 p.m. and found Shadoe Benson standing outside the residence with a bloody nose and mouth, according to court documents. He was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he received six stitches.
The incident allegedly started after Shadoe Benson asked his father for a piece of pizza and his father responded in an indirect way. Shadoe then threw a slice of pizza, prompting David Benson to stand up and shove him; punches were exchanged, court documents said.
The two continued to tussle and David Benson allegedly kicked his son in the face, according to court documents.
Shadoe Benson said he tried to call 911, but his father allegedly prevented him from doing so, documents show. His younger brother ended up placing the call.
The residence where the incident took place was the home where Weathersfield teen Autumn Sanville was found last month, three weeks after she was reported missing. Police at the time said David Benson arrived home to find the 17-year-old Sanville standing in his kitchen.
Police said at the time that Shadoe Benson was her boyfriend and that he had repeatedly denied to police that he knew where Sanville was after she disappeared on Oct. 6.
A judge released David Benson on $5,000 bail and ordered him not to have contact with Shadoe. Benson will next appear in court on Dec. 13.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.