Billings Fatal Police Shooting Inquest Remains Unscheduled Two Years Later
In Billings, a mandatory coroner's inquest into the fatal police shooting of James Bennett over two years ago remains unscheduled, causing distress for his friend who is seeking answers and highlighting a significant delay in the judicial process.
Billings, MT, November 7, 2026 — In Billings, a mandatory coroner’s inquest concerning the fatal police shooting of James Bennett more than two years ago has yet to be scheduled. This prolonged delay is reportedly causing distress to a friend of Mr. Bennett, who is seeking answers regarding the incident. The situation highlights a significant delay within the judicial process for this case.
The shooting of James Bennett occurred over two years ago in Billings. Following the incident, a mandatory coroner’s inquest was initiated. However, as of the current reporting, the inquest has not been scheduled, leaving the legal process incomplete.
A friend of James Bennett has expressed distress over the lack of progress, stating that they are seeking answers. The friend’s concerns underscore the impact of the unscheduled inquest on those connected to the case.
The extended delay in scheduling the inquest points to potential challenges or backlogs within the judicial system responsible for overseeing such proceedings. The exact reasons for the delay in scheduling the mandatory inquest were not provided in the available information. Similarly, details regarding the police department involved in the shooting and the specific circumstances surrounding Mr. Bennett’s death were not detailed in the summary.
This situation brings attention to the importance of timely judicial processes, particularly in cases involving fatal encounters with law enforcement. The ongoing lack of a scheduled inquest leaves questions unanswered and continues to affect individuals seeking closure and information.
Story summarized from the original created by Isabel Spartz on www.ktvq.com, see more information here.
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