Richfield man pleads guilty to first-degree murder, will be sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years

Shay Michael Benson, 38, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with a past pattern of domestic abuse for the death of Jennifer Millons in September 2025.

Under the terms of the plea, he will be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

“My thoughts are with Ms. Millon’s family as this case nears its conclusion,” Hennepin County Mary Moriarty said. “This was a terrible act of domestic violence that took her from her loved ones and, while we can do little to ease that pain, we are holding Mr. Benson accountable for this crime.

“Ms. Millons was one of at least 31 people who died in our state last year as a result of domestic violence. The pervasiveness of this violence is a challenge that every component of the justice system and our communities must rise up to meet.”

Mr. Benson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21 at 11 a.m.

Case Number: 27-CR-25-22998

HCAO’s Domestic Abuse Service Center

All services including advocacy, Orders for Protection, and safety planning, can be accessed by calling (612) 348-5073 or on-site at the Domestic Abuse Service Center located on floor A-14 in the Hennepin County Government Center. It is served by multiple bus routes and the Government Plaza Station on the METRO Blue Line.

Hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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