Eric L. Perry mugshot July 8, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A second suspect has been convicted in the 2021 Fond du Lac shooting death of 26-year-old Benzel Rose.
In a news release Monday, officials announced Eric L. Perry pleaded no contest to charges of second degree intentional homicide (repeater) with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery – use of force (repeater) with a dangerous weapon and felon in possession of a firearm (repeater).
The plea comes exactly one week before Perry’s seven-day jury trial was scheduled to begin. He had previously pleaded not guilty in early 2023.
Perry’s bond was revoked and sentencing is set for March 24.
Last fall, Perry’s co-defendant Julius Freeman was sentenced to life in prison for his part in Rose’s murder. Freeman can first ask for parole after 35 years.
According to the criminal complaint, Freeman and Perry killed Rose on Oct. 17, 2021, during an armed robbery in the 300 block of 8th Street. Prosecutors say the pair took cash and a gun from Rose before Perry shot him in the head.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney praised the news in a statement that reads as follows:
The City of Fond du Lac Police Department performed an excellent investigation leading to today’s convictions and justice for the family and friends of Benzel Rose. Fond du Lac is a beautiful community and we will continue to work with law enforcement to aggressively prosecute violence and gun crime in our community.
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