Benson pleads not guilty
On Tuesday, March 18, Jospeh James Benson appeared before Judge Walker. Benson was present via Zoom for the plea hearing.
Benson is accused of murdering 38-year-old Samantha Koehne in Edgerton on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Present for the state was Pipestone County Attorney Damain Sandy and Assistant Attorney General Jason Teaser. Benson’s attorney is public defender Pamela Neumann.
Neumann entered a plea of Not Guilty on behalf of her client. She indicated that a proposed offer and counter offer were not accepted.
Judge Walker set a settlement conference date for April 15 at 9:15 a.m.
In a murder case, a settlement conference is a formal, court-led meeting where the prosecution and defense attempt to reach a plea deal or settlement to avoid a trial, allowing for a resolution without the need for a full trial.
Benson remains in Nobles County Jail.
