TYLER, Texas — A Tyler man who was stabbed to death Sunday morning got into a physical altercation with the person accused of killing him because he believed the suspect was abusing his girlfriend, police documents show.
Chance Hull, 22, of Alba, was booked into the Smith County Jail Sunday on the murder charge in connection with the death of Payton Bennett. He remains jailed on a $500,000 bond, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tyler police spokesperson Andy Erbaugh said police officers arrived at a home in the 1900 block S. Snead Ave. around 5 a.m. to find Bennett with a stab wound and Hull trying to give aid. Investigators later learned Hull and Bennett got into a fight before police say Hull stabbed Bennett with a knife.
According to the affidavit, Hull and his girlfriend had come over to hang out with Bennett and his girlfriend at the residence on Sneed Ave. Everything was fine until Hull got upset with his girlfriend and went outside to sleep in their vehicle.
Hull’s girlfriend went outside and they started to argue. In an interview with police, Hull’s girlfriend said Hull got into her face and she fell down. Bennett came out of the house and confronted Hull for harming her, the affidavit read.
She told police Bennett was trying to fight but Hull did not want to. She saw Hull then pull out a knife and stab Bennett in the chest, the affidavit stated.
Bennett said she and Hull’s girlfriend are best friends, and they were all hanging out and having drinks together. She told Bennett that Hull was abusive toward his girlfriend, the document read.
In an interview with police, Hull was emotional and described Bennett as his "homeboy." Hull denied drinking anything but said he used Xanax and marijuana, the affidavit read.
Regarding the argument outside, Hull said he tried to pick up his girlfriend but he ended up dropping her on accident. He said Bennett and his girlfriend saw this, causing them to think Hull was abusing his girlfriend, the affidavit stated.
Hull denied ever abusing his girlfriend. Hull said he didn’t want to back away from the fight but he knew Bennett could beat him up. Bennett wouldn’t stop coming toward Hull and Hull pulled out a pocket knife as a warning, Hull said to police.
At some point, Hull opened the knife and told Bennett he was going to use it. Hull claimed “the look” in Bennett’s eyes changed. As Bennett came toward him, Hull swung the knife into Bennett’s chest, according to the document.
Hull told police that Bennett said, "You really just did that," and dropped down. Hull asked his and Bennett's girlfriends to call 911 while he tried to give Bennett aid, the affidavit read.
