Death Penalty Ruled Valid In Carter County Woman’s Murder

A Carter County judge ruled Thursday a death penalty case involving a man accused of brutally killing an elderly Carter County woman is still on the table. Chad Benfield’s attorneys asked Judge Lisa Rice whether the Tennessee death penalty statute is valid. Court documents show, Judge Rice ruled the case meets the standards set at both the state and federal levels. Benfield is accused of beating and robbing 89 year old Mary Nolan of Stoney Creek. Nolan died a few days later from her injuries.