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A
University of Wisconsin freshman who allegedly pulled a knife on two students
in Witte Hall pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Monday morning.?

The
incident occurred Feb. 1 when an inebriated Brandon Benson returned to his
residence and held a knife to another student?s throat and threatened his
roommate, according to a police report.

The
police report indicates that Benson, who had a blood alcohol content of .196,
pulled a three-inch, black-handled blade from his right pocket and held it to
the throat of Sengasi Vang, another Witte resident.

The
Dane County District Attorney’s Office charged Benson with disorderly conduct
while using a dangerous weapon ? a misdemeanor crime.

The
maximum penalty for first-time offenders like Benson is nine months in jail and
a $1,000 fine. In addition, his underage drinking maximum citation is $375.

However,
because Benson is a first-time offender, it is unlikely he will receive these
penalties in full.

?Similarly
situated defendants usually enter a first-offender program where they receive
drug and alcohol assessment, complete community service and counseling,? said
Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer. ?If this program is successfully
completed then the charges are removed from the person?s record.?

Benson
represented himself at the hearing and has yet to obtain a lawyer. He paid bail
Feb. 1, and the court laid out Monday the conditions for receiving the money
back, in addition to meeting his court appearances.

Benson
verbally agreed not to consume any alcohol, not to bear any dangerous weapons
and not to have contact with Vang. However, Benson is still allowed contact
with his roommate.

?Benson
may still have been friends with his roommate, and the roommate did not seem as
concerned for his personal safety,? said Verveer.

Benson
will receive the date for his next court appearance in the mail.