ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KFGO WJON) – Stearns County prosecutors have added additional charges against a Richmond man accused of intentionally crashing an SUV into a Cold Spring family’s home.
According to the criminal complaint, 33-year-old Benton Beyer was motivated by bias after learning his girlfriend had cheated on him with a black man. Court records show Beyer was paranoid that she was continuing to cheat on him and became angry toward black men and used racial slurs repeatedly.
Beyer’s girlfriend worked near the home of the biracial family whose home was damaged. He became increasingly paranoid that his girlfriend was sleeping with one of the family’s sons.
The criminal complaint outlines several incidents of Beyer allegedly vandalizing the family’s property and stalking them. The family was granted a harassment restraining order which court records allege Beyer violated a number of times.
Court records show the investigation determined a stuffed bear found in the stolen SUV with a noose around its neck was not associated with Beyer. Multiple witnesses and the vehicle’s owner told investigators the bear was hanging from the passenger grab bar for multiple years and was related to a prior relationship of his. Swabs from the bear showed a mixture of DNA from five or more individuals but not Beyer.
In his court appearance, Beyer demanded a speedy trial which the Stearns County Attorney’s Office says is scheduled to begin October 11.
