Charlotte stabbing suspect was freed twice this year before brutal bus attack
James Calvin Bennett, a 57-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history, was arrested for allegedly stabbing a fellow passenger on a CATS bus shortly after being released on bond. Just weeks prior, he had been free following multiple arrests this year, including charges for robbery and domestic violence. The victim, Jose Mulongo, suffered severe injuries, and witnesses reported Bennett's erratic behavior before the attack. This incident has raised concerns in Charlotte about the judicial system's handling of repeat offenders, especially following another fatal transit stabbing earlier this year. Bennett is currently held without bail as the community grapples with safety and legal accountability issues.
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Bennett was free on bond in October after posting a $25,000 bond for robbery and domestic violence charges, which he was arrested for in September. His earlier arrest in May involved larceny, for which he posted a $5,000 bond.
The stabbing incident occurred on November 7, where Bennett allegedly used a kitchen knife to stab Mulongo in the chest, with one wound dangerously close to the heart, leading to significant injuries.
Witnesses reported that Bennett had been stalking Mulongo on the bus before the attack, and the bus driver recognized Bennett as a frequent rider known for his erratic behavior.
Surveillance footage corroborated the bus driver's account of the events leading up to the stabbing, with other passengers also attesting to an argument before the violence occurred.
Bennett's criminal background includes 15 cases across multiple counties since 2022, with previous charges for assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, although he had pled guilty to lesser offenses in the past.
Following the stabbing, police found Bennett hours later wearing blood-stained clothing, and he initially invoked his right to remain silent but later made statements suggesting awareness of the seriousness of his actions.
The community's concern over repeat offenders has intensified due to this incident, particularly in the context of a previous high-profile transit murder earlier in the year, prompting scrutiny of the judicial system's effectiveness in managing such cases.