The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed formal charges of first degree murder, first degree burglary, and armed criminal action today against a Carthage couple in connection with the December 7 death of Raymond Ritchhart, 87, Carthage.
Bond for Brian and Kelli Benefiel has been set at $500,000.
The Benefiels, who were neighbors of Ritchhart, were allegedly surprised by him as they were burglarizing his home at 1237 Douglas Court looking for prescription medicine, according to Carthage Police reports. They are charged with beating and stabbing him to death.
As noted last night, Jasper County online records show Brian Benefiel, 48, pleaded guilty to a theft charge in 2008 and was placed on probation, which he violated when he was arrested for receiving stolen property the following year. He was again placed on supervised probation.
Benefiel pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in 2011 and was again placed on probation.
Kelli Benefiel, 27, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge in 2011.
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