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Man found guilty of fatally shooting trucker twice in the back

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This week, a jury convicted a man on a homicide charge for the shooting death of a semi truck driver during a road rage incident in Nebraska.

On Wednesday, March 6, a jury in Douglas County, Nebraska, found Michael Benson, 26, guilty on a charge of second-degree murder, according to the Omaha World-Herald.  The jury deliberated for just three hours before returning with the guilty verdict.

Benson Mugshot
Michael Benson Mugshot

Benson was also found guilty on two weapons charges and two charges of witness tampering.

The charges stem from the September 18, 2017, road rage shooting death of semi truck driver and U.S. Army veteran, James Womack, who was 32 when he died. Before leaving the Army to drive for Hill Bros., Womack completed three tours of Iraq.

James Womack

Womack was shot during a road rage incident that happened during the evening rush hour at the intersection of 60th and L Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

The road rage incident reportedly began when Benson cut off Womack. Prosecutors say that Womack got out of his truck, walked up to Benson’s pickup, slapped his hands against the passenger side window and said, “What the (expletive) are you doing?” before turning to walk back to his truck.

It was then that Benson opened fire Womack, hitting him twice in the back.

Benson drove away while Womack collapsed in the street and later died as a result of the gunshot wounds.

Womack’s widow Ivonne Womack said after the guilty verdict, “He’s going to pay for what he did.”

Benson faces 28 years to life in prison.

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