Man accused of trying to kill fellow Woodbury County inmate pleads not guilty

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A man charged with the attempted murder of a fellow inmate in the Woodbury County Jail has pleaded not guilty.

Bengerman Housh, 32, of Sioux City, was arraigned on Monday, Aug. 27, and had his plea accepted, according to court documents. He is charged with attempted murder, willful injury, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

In the late night of Aug. 8, Housh allegedly tried to kill a fellow inmate in a racist assault that lasted more than 10 minutes. He had been put in jail earlier that evening after allegedly throwing a brick through a car window.

Court documents state that Housh repeatedly punched, kneed, and stomped on the victim. At one point, he allegedly held the victim in a chokehold for about 45 seconds.

According to a witness, Housh, who is white, had mentioned how the victim was Native American. He allegedly said that the victim was “not a man” and said several times that he “did not deserve to live.”

The victim was taken to a hospital with a hematoma on the back of his head and serious facial injuries, including a cut on the left side. He needed plastic surgery to repair the damage, court documents say.

Housh’s jury trial is set to begin Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

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