BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The 7 News I-Team has learned that the Buffalo man wanted for questioning in connection to a Wednesday morning homicide was arrested and released the day before the alleged homicide.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said on September 28, 45-year-old Adam Bennefield allegedly assaulted the victim by punching and kicking her inside their Cheektowaga home. Bennefield also allegedly displayed a knife and a box cutter during the incident, prevented the victim from leaving the home and took the victim's cell phone to stop her from calling for help.
On Tuesday, Bennefield was arraigned in connection to the alleged assault in Cheektowaga Town Court on the following offenses, all misdemeanors:
- One count of third-degree assault
- Two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief
- One count of second-degree menacing
- One count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment
- One count of second-degree harassment
The district attorney's office said Bennefield was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. The DA said prosecutors requested that the Court issue a temporary order of protection, which ordered him to stay away from the victim.
On Wednesday, 40-year-old Keaira Hudson was shot and killed in the area of Shawnee and Richlawn Avenues. Bennefield is wanted for questioning in connection to the murder of Hudson.
According to Hudson's family members, she was in an abusive relationship with Bennefield. Hudson's sister, Montaysha Jeter, says her sister posted a disturbing video of her being beaten by Bennefield on social media.
"She's just been trying to get help. I've been with her going to police stations, she's been texting me, sending me videos, giving me her phone password just in case," Jeter told 7 News on Wednesday.
According to Jeter, Hudson was staying with their mother because she feared for her life. She told 7 News that when Hudson left the house Wednesday morning to drop her three children off at school, she went so far as to wear a bulletproof vest. Jeter said that her mother asked Hudson why she was putting on the vest, and Hudson responded, "because mom he's going to kill me you don't understand."
Jeter said that as soon as Hudson went around the corner in her car, he "smashed into the front of her car and got out of the car with a shotgun, shot her and pulled off."
7 News is working to get more information from police on these allegations. Bennefield is scheduled to return to Cheektowaga Town Court on October 20 for further proceedings.
The homicide Wednesday shares similarities to another case involving Bennefield that happened 22 years ago. In 2000, Bennefield slammed a stolen car into a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend on Route 33. He then forced the ex-girlfriend and her passenger at gunpoint into his vehicle and led police on a high-speed chase.
If you or a loved one have or is currently experiencing domestic violence, the following hotlines are available for your use:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1 (800) 942-6906
Erie County Child and Family Services: 716-884-6000
Family Justice Center: 716-558-7233
