Judge nixes rare murder case against a California corporation
Finding that the probable cause standard was not met, a California judge on Friday dismissed what defense lawyers say is the first murder case ever pursued against a state corporation.
However, rehab company A Better Tomorrow and four employees still face dependent adult abuse charges in the 2010 death of Gary Benefield, who was under treatment at a Riverside County detoxification facility, reports the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.).
Found dead at age 53 the day after he arrived for alcohol treatment, Benefield had multiple prior medical issues and was on oxygen. Prosecutors say he died because workers gave him medicine that exacerbated his breathing issues and didn’t refill his oxygen.
Defense lawyers criticized the government for not having a coroner who found Benefield died of natural causes testify before a grand jury.
“We think the court reached the right conclusion with regards to the murder charges in this case,” attorney Brian Hennigan, who represents a defendant worker, told the newspaper. “We’re gratified we got a fair hearing and a ruling on the merits.”
A civil suit by Benefield’s family was settled, an earlier Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) article notes.
