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SALT LAKE CITY — A 52-year-old transient man was charged with murder Tuesday in connection with the slaying of another homeless man.
Bennett James Pace was charged in 3rd District Court with murder, aggravated robbery and attempted rape, all first-degree felonies, in connection with the Feb. 15 death of James Anderson Porter, 48.
According to charges, witnesses heard the two men arguing, with Pace telling Porter, "You need to knock it off and be quiet," and Porter responding with, "Get off of me, you're killing me."
Porter was found "lying in a shed with blood all over," the charges state.
Pace was arrested near the crime scene at 536 S. 200 West, toting two black trash bags, with blood on his hands and shoes.
Pace was arrested and searched. Prosecutors say Pace had a Utah Horizon card issued to Porter in his pocket in addition to a folding knife with blood on it.
Prior to the argument, witnesses reported that they saw Porter, another man and a woman drinking together in the same area, and heard the men fighting just minutes before Porter's body was found, according to a jail booking report.
The woman initially said both men sexually assaulted her. According to charges, she said Pace attacked her and was attempting to rape her but she was able to flee.
E-mail: emorgan@desnews.com
