Dawson man jailed for alleged attack on informant

The brother of a Fayette County man serving life in prison was jailed Tuesday over allegations that, while out on bond for trying to hire a hit man, he attempted to kill the informant who turned him in.

Jon Bender of Dawson was in court yesterday asking to remain free on bond even though he had been arrested while awaiting trial, a violation of the conditions of his bond.

'There is not enough (evidence) to engage in the Draconian behavior of revoking his bond,' said Pittsburgh defense attorney Paul Boas.

Bender is the brother of Steven Bender of South Connellsville, who was sentenced to life in prison last month for killing his estranged wife's boyfriend.

Shortly after Steven Bender was arrested for the May 13, 2000, shooting of Marvin Knieriem, Jon Bender began to get into trouble.

While Steven Bender threatened his wife, Beverly Pletcher, with a gun after the shooting, Jon Bender was convicted of summary harassment for verbally threatening her sister, Wanda Pletcher.

In May 2001, Jon Bender was arrested for attempting to hire a hit man to kill Wanda Pletcher.

Then, shortly before his brother's trial last month, Jon Bender was arrested for attempting to run over the man he wanted to do the killing - the same man who had turned him in.

Informant David Lint, also of Dawson, said Jon Bender attempted to run him over as he sat atop a four-wheeler.

'He tried to hit me,' said Lint.

Boas attacked Lint's credibility, calling his criminal record to attention.

But District Attorney Nancy Vernon said Lint was doing the right thing.

'He may be a scoundrel, but in all of his badness, he didn't want to see (Wanda Pletcher) get hurt,' she said.

She called on Fayette County President Judge William J. Franks to protect both Lint and her case against Jon Bender by jailing him while he awaits trial.

Franks ended an afternoon-long hearing by ordering Bender to jail.

'We find you have engaged in criminal behavior,' he said.