James Floyd Bennett III pleaded not guilty in Dedham District Court on Friday to stabbing and killing his father at Phillips Park.
A man was ordered held without bail after he allegedly stabbed and killed his father at a park in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on Thursday afternoon.
A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of 26-year-old James Floyd Bennett III at his arraignment in Dedham District Court following the incident at Phillips Park on Mangus Avenue that left his 58-year-old father dead. The father’s name has not been publicly released.
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Prosecutors revealed new details about the case in court Friday, saying the father and son were playing soccer in the park and having discussions about the World Cup when things turned violent. There were only a few people in the park at the time, and one witness said they heard the victim screaming for help, saying, “He’s stabbing me. He’s killing me.”
Wellesley police received three 911 calls from people in the area and responded immediately, prosecutors said. They found the victim lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, mostly from the head area. He had difficulty speaking, but was able to answer questions. When asked who had stabbed him, he said, “My son,” before losing consciousness.
The victim was rushed to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Doctors told investigators he had suffered approximately 20 stab wounds to his face, back, neck, leg and stomach. His arm was “almost severed,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Bennett III ran from the scene of the stabing and went back to the home where he lived with his father, where he showered, changed into a sweatshirt and placed the knife in the garbage bag. He also took a photo of himself covered in blood using his cellphone. He then walked to the Wellesley Police Department and turned himself in, saying he was responsible for the stabbing. He said the knife and the clothes he had been wearing were in a bag at his home.
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Bennett III’s lawyer requested bail Friday , noting that he has a “significant mental health history,” but prosecutors asked that he be held without bail due to the seriousness of the crime. The judge ultimately agreed to hold him without bail. His next court date is scheduled for July 10, but he will not be required to appear in person.
Thursday’s stabbing occurred while it was still light out, and neighbors who spoke to NBC10 Boston said they were stunned.
“Terrifying,” said Abby Yucius. “You’d never expect it in an area especially like this. It’s very scary. Kids play all the time. I walk here every morning.”
Families and kids use the park every day. It’s behind a child care center, walking path and right off the main road Route 16.
“It feels like such a safe area,” Brendon Brown said. “The path goes in everyone’s back yards. It’s very nice.”
Phillips Park was closed for hours following the deadly stabbing.
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