The Law Office of Benjamin Rice

Description

Noteworthy Cases In 21 years of practice, I have represented thousands of clients. I have had dozens of jury trials - and have been called by the District Attorney "the DA's most hated defense attorney." While my emphasis in recent years has been in homicide, narcotics, DUIs and assault cases, I handle virtually every type of criminal charge. In rare instances, I represent civil clients. Here is a sampling of "noteworthy" cases I've handled: $390,000 Award for Deputy's Excessive Force In 1994, I represented George Nichols in a lawsuit against Santa Cruz County alleging unlawful arrest and excessive force. Mr. Nichols recovered $390,000 in this highly publicized case. His wife had been videotaping their children when a deputy began an illegal arrest and assault. Mrs. Nichols videotaped her husband's beating and arrest. That famous video led to our appearances on many national TV news programs including the Geraldo show in New York City. The So Called "Road Rage Murder" Case In 1997, I was retained by David Turturici to represent him in the now infamous "road rage murder case." Mr. Turturici was chased by a drunk and enraged driver over Highway 17 from Los Gatos to Santa Cruz. After pulling off and on the freeway and reversing directions, David finally pulled over at 41st Ave, put on his emergency flashers and hoped the driver would pass on. Instead, the driver pulled over, jumped out of his car and walked towards David's car. David was a restaurant owner who carried large amounts of money in his car at night. He also made a mistake - he carried a gun in his car. When David tried to scare the attacker off by showing him the gun, the attacker grabbed the gun. In the struggle for the gun, it went off, killing the attacker with one shot. David panicked and drove to his parents' house back in San Jose. Police identified him because the attacker had written down David's license plate number and had left it on his front seat.

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