ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the nature of the alleged crime.
A Lenoir man is accused of assaulting another man who later died in the hospital.
The Alexander County Sheriff's Office said 33-year-ld Casey Charles Bentley was arrested on Monday after he reportedly assaulted 55-year-old Kenneth Young, also of Lenoir. The two men got into a confrontation at the Wittenburg Access Area on Lake Hickory that turned physical.
Young was taken to a hospital for treatment of head injuries he faced, but has since died of his injuries. Bentley was originally charged with assault inflicting bodily injury and placed under a $75,000 secured bond, but is now instead charged with murder and automatically granted no bond. He will appear in court on Sept. 9, 2024.
Deputies said the conflict stemmed from a gathering in Alexander County with teenagers at a residence. Young reportedly made inappropriate comments made to Bentley's teenage daughter. Bentley arrived to pick up his daughter, but Young was not at the residence.
However, deputies said Bentley found Young loading a boat at the access area and started an argument. The argument then evolved into the assault.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
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