An Algona area man is on trial for attempted murder. George Bennett allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife. Bennett waived his right to a jury trial and the case is being heard by Judge John P. Duffy of Storm Lake. Prosecuting Attorney Todd Holmes in an opening argument, alleged that Bennett began a plot to arrange to kill his wife while serving jail time on an unrelated charge.
While in Algona at the Kossuth County Jail Bennett allegedly talked with fellow inmate William Shove, who then took his concerns to authorities who then subsequently arranged to have a special agent serve as a so called undercover “hitman” and built a case against Bennett who was arrested in April of 2009.
Defense Attorney, Public Defender Joe McCarville of Fort Dodge in his opening argument alleged a lack of authority in this case against the prosecuting attorney claiming the case did not originate in Kossuth County, and also that evidence will prove that there was no intent shown that Bennett wanted his wife, Debbie, killed.
William Shove was the first witness called by the state.
By Chuck Shockley, KLGA, Algona