Suspect in Mifflin officer stabbing released on bond

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The president of a local police union is frustrated over what he is calling a low bond.

Jeff Simpson, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9, is referring to a case that started Sunday night when police say a man repeatedly stabbed a Mifflin Township Police officer in the head. The suspect Bryan Benjamin is now out on bail.

Simpson made a public statement about this, calling it a slap in the face. It reads in part:

“I wish to express our extreme displeasure with the decision made by Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Ebner to grant bail to Bryan Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin was clearly captured on a police body worn camera violently assaulting a Mifflin Township Police Officer with a knife. It should be noted that prior to the assault on the police officer, Mr. Benjamin also assaulted a citizen of Mifflin Township who ultimately called 911. Judge Ebner failed miserably in denying the prosecutors office request for no bond.”

He said Sunday's attack on the Mifflin Township officer was the worst assault he’s seen on an officer in his 26 years in law enforcement.

“He was in a lot of pain,” Simpson said. “Yeah, I'm emotional about it. I mean, enough is enough.”

Benjamin was in court on Tuesday, when the prosecution requested no bond be issued in the case. However, the judge gave him a $500,000 bond.

In the statement, Simpson said the judge failed in her responsibility to keep the public safe. He said he wants to make a public statement because this community will not truly be safe without changes.

“It shows no respect for law and order and people see that,” Simpson said. “(Benjamin) has shown that he can't operate safely among the community and he gets $500,000. It doesn't make sense to me.”

The court docket shows Benjamin is out on bail. Criminal records state Benjamin has a decade-long criminal history with several assaults on officers.

The constitutional amendment Simpson cities in his statement was approved by voters in 2022. It calls for the courts to consider public safety, a person's criminal record, and the likelihood that person will return to court.

Robert Barnhart, an assistant professor at Capital University Law School, said that in his experience, the judge's decision does line up with Ohio's constitution.

“The Ohio Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, you know, don't permit excessive bail, and at some point, you have to give folks are presumed innocent,” Barnhart said. “You have to give them a chance to be out until they're found guilty.”

Barnhart said he’s rarely seen a judge set a no-bond for a non-homicide case.

”That amount doesn't surprise me,” he said. “Surprises me when people make that amount. I was a public defender. For most of my clients, $500,000 might as well have been $500 million for as close as they could get to it.”

He said if the suspect is indicted, the state can file a motion to change the bond.

“It's an evolving area of law and it's an interesting dance because it really is between the courts and the legislature, the legislature. And in the end, the voters ultimately control it,” Barnhart said.

We reach out to the judge in charge of this case for a response. She said they do not comment on pending cases.

Simpson said that Mifflin Township officer is still in the hospital recovering.