Recently, James Calvin Bennett, a 57-year-old man, was arrested in Charlotte after being accused of stabbing another man while riding a city bus. This incident followed his previous run-ins with the law; records indicate he had been in and out of jail two times just this year, with his last release occurring in October on bond.
Bennett faces serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The victim, identified as Jose “French” Mhlongo, suffered multiple stab wounds, with one inflicted near his heart, according to police documents.
The bus driver recognized Bennett as a regular homeless individual seen at shelters along the bus route. Witnesses claimed they saw Bennett following Mhlongo before the stabbing and reported hearing an argument before the attack occurred. One other passenger noted that Bennett had an open alcohol container and a large kitchen knife with him.
After the incident, a bystander intervened and pulled Mhlongo away from Bennett, who then fled the scene. Police later apprehended him a few hours later, still wearing bloodied clothing. Notably, Bennett has a long criminal history, which includes previous charges for assault with intent to commit murder. He had been silent during his arrest but allegedly remarked to detectives about needing a knife.
A week before the stabbing, detectives had recognized Bennett from a separate complaint where a woman reported him masturbating on another bus. His alarming behavior seemed to escalate, as, in the months prior, he faced a series of charges related to theft and violent acts, resulting in a series of short jail stays.
Currently, Bennett is held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder. This situation has raised questions about public safety, particularly in light of a troubling trend of low bail for repeat offenders. The city is under scrutiny following other violent incidents, including the stabbing of a young pizzeria worker on a commuter train just a month prior, which also resulted in public outcry.
