Cedric Benson hires new attorney

Often accused of being nonchalant in Chicago, Cedric Benson has been anything but laid-back trying to clear his name back home in Texas.

Benson continued an aggressive approach to defending himself against charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest by hiring a new attorney considered one of Austin's finest and most high-profile defense attorneys.

Lawyer Sam Bassett already has interviewed 10 people who were on Benson's boat Saturday night when Benson was arrested on Lake Travis, outside Austin, and described, according to a Lower Colorado River Authority police report, as being cocky, combative and smelling of alcohol. Bassett has scheduled additional interviews.


"I do not believe that Cedric was intoxicated when his boat was boarded by the LCRA officers for a safety inspection," Bassett said Thursday in an e-mail to the Tribune. "I also am concerned that the force used by the LCRA officers, particularly the use of pepper spray, was not necessary under the circumstances."

Bassett, perhaps best known in Austin for defending a man convicted last year of murdering Texas student Jennifer Cave in a case that drew national attention, takes over for Brian Carney. Carney has been a friend and ally of Benson's since high school but his office is in Benson's hometown of Midland, Texas--300 miles from Austin.

"There is a lot of work left to be done and I am not privy to all information regarding the case at this juncture," Bassett said. "Cedric is interested in focusing on football right now and we will work hard for him while he prepares for the season."

Benson faces a May 19 court date but can be represented by Bassett. That also is the first day of organized team activities at Halas Hall, an important step for a running back coming off ankle surgery fighting for the NFL life in Chicago--even before last weekend's arrest.

Another eyewitness has emerged to support Benson's claim that he was mistreated.

Toby Patch was at nearby Emerald Point Marina on Saturday night when he claims he saw police "manhandling" Benson after taking the running back off the boat and heading to a squad car. Patch was not one of the 15 people on the boat.

"As they were taking him up the dock, they stopped, he said, 'I am fine, I can continue walking,' and they put their legs behind his knees and knocked him over his knees and started hog-carrying him," Patch told KXAN-TV in Austin.

Near the parking area, Patch says the treatment of Benson worsened.

"They ended up--I don't know why--but laid him on his back, I heard him say, 'Please don't pepper spray me, please don't pepper spray me,'" Patch said. "It was uncalled for, it was ludicrous, no point for it."

Patch's version sounded similar to the account Benson friend Elizabeth Cartwright, who was on the boat, gave the Tribune on Tuesday night.

Benson is back in Chicago and has not commented since proclaiming his innocence Sunday night and saying police mistreated him. He is considering a lawsuit.

It's Bears news. They could win the Superbowl and get 1 day of coverage out of obligation and then be forgotten. ESPN dogs Chicago sports, even the scandals.

Mars23 said:

Seems that u are right.