Jamestown  (CSi)  Southeast District Court Judge, Cherie Clark has continued Thursday’s preliminary hearing of 31 Year old Jason Benefiel, who was charged with attempted murder, and two counts of, aggravated assault, accused of choking and striking a North Dakota State Hospital employee, on March 29 this year, while he was a patient.

At his Thursday, June 6  preliminary hearing, Judge Clark’s continuance is until July 24, 2019 in Southeast District Court and she  maintained the $200,000 cash bond.

The continuance is in consideration of court appointed, defense attorney, Scott Sandness, stating that the results of mental health evaluations by a third-party examiner along with the North Dakota State Hospital were not yet available.

Benefiel remains in custody at the Stutsman County Correctional Center, in Jamestown.