Second trial delay for man accused in death, dismemberment of Slidell woman

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The trail for Benjamin Beale, the man accused of killing and dismembering a Slidell woman, has once again been delayed.

Beale was set to appear in Orleans Criminal Court on Monday, Aug. 4 for the 2022 death of 36-year-old Julia Dardar.

He is currently facing charges of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice,  simple assault, possession with the intent to distribute psilocybin, illegal carrying of a weapon, creating/operating a clandestine lab and possession with intent to distribute meth.

On Jan. 11, 2022, residents in a Ninth Ward neighborhood made the “gruesome” discovery of Dardar’s dismembered body inside a freezer in a bus in the 2300 block of Pauline Street.

During the investigation, on Jan. 8, 2022, Dardar’s estranged husband told the New Orleans Police Department that his wife had been missing since December. He added that he was searching for her since she was known to suffer with addiction and mental illness.

The investigation led to Beale’s arrest and on May 6, 2022, he was indicted.

The defense in the case argued that Beale was insane at the time of the crime. His current plea is not guilty by reason of insanity.

The state is working to retain its own psychiatrist to review the findings.

The new trial date is set for Sept. 29.

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