WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The man accused of attempted homicide and recklessly endangering safety after a shooting incident on US 51 in October 2023 reached a plea deal in late August, according to court records.
Bennie Green pleaded guilty to five counts of recklessly endangering safety, one count of OWI causing injury, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The attempted homicide count was then dismissed but read into the record, meaning the judge will consider it at sentencing. Numerous other low-level felonies and misdemeanors were also read in, including second-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of methamphetamine.
The deal cancels a week-long trial that was scheduled to begin in mid-October. He previously pled not guilty to the charges and had planned to represent himself at trial.
The 44-year-old was accused of tailgating another vehicle along Highway 51, speeding up to pass them, then slowing down and allowing their vehicle to pass. Green is then accused of driving alongside the victim and firing two rounds into their vehicle, injuring one of the occupants.
Green then led authorities on a chase that extended back into the Wausau area, where a Lincoln County deputy disabled his vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Sentencing has been scheduled for November 30th. He faces up to 37.5 years in prison for the most serious charges and up to 45.5 years on all counts.
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