Stalker of Lewis dies in county jail

Jace Radke

Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

A diagnosed schizophrenic convicted of stalking comedian Jerry Lewis was found dead Saturday in his cell at the Clark County Jail.

Gary Benson, 57, was found dead at 1:48 a.m., Metro Police Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

"His cellmate got the attention of corrections officers, who checked (Benson's) pulse," Petersen said. "It looks like he died in his sleep."

Benson was found on his bed and had no obvious signs of injury, Petersen said. An exact cause of death is pending an autopsy by the coroner's office.

Benson was arrested in May 2000 in Wyoming after Lewis reportedly received a letter at his Las Vegas home in April 2000. The letter read, 'Dear Jerry. Your (sic) Dead.' The letter was signed, 'Your friend, Gary Benson.' "

The FBI arrested Benson in a Sheridan County, Wyo., Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. At the time of his death, Benson was being held in connection with his most recent arrest for allegedly stalking Lewis.

Benson, whose case was scheduled for trial Nov. 12, was charged with aggravated stalking and violation of an extended protective order. In May 1995 Benson pleaded guilty to stalking Lewis and received probation. For the next three years Benson was in and out of jail and mental health facilities.

Benson's probation was revoked in July 1998, and he was sent to prison. He was released in September of 1999 and warned by Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti to stay away from Lewis.