Oklahoma City man is ordered to stand trial in Norman woman's shooting death

Dustin Dale Allen, 20, was charged with murder in September in Cleveland County District Court.

The victim, Mary Ellyn Benavidez, was shot in the chest in the early morning hours of Sept. 13. She died a short time later at Norman Regional Hospital, records show.

Kevin Finlay, the defendant's attorney, said Allen also was ordered to trial on a burglary charge.

“They said he broke into her house with the intent to burglarize it,” Finlay said.

Court records show Allen told police he was upset with Benavidez's son, Jason, and went to the victim's residence to confront him.

Why Allen was upset with the victim's son isn't explained in court records.

Neighbors described the home at 1210 Stubbeman Ave. as “high-traffic,” and many suspected drug activity was the likely explanation.

Allen said he encountered Benavidez after kicking the door in and searching the house for her son.

He said he thought she was “scared” when he shot her and told police she was muttering in Spanish and backing away from him right before he took her life.

Allen, who has been arrested numerous times over the past three years, is being held at the Cleveland County jail. His bond is set at $3 million.