NOTE: California prohibits the sale of self-defense legal protection memberships to its residents. Although Second Call Defense cannot legally sell its legal protection plans to California residents, it can provide services to members who are residents of other states and who find themselves involved in a self-defense incident in California. Similar incidents, however, can and do occur in other states where we legally offer our self-defense legal protection memberships and we encourage readers to consider the legal and financial risks of carrying and/or using any weapon in self-defense.
A San Francisco jury has fully acquitted Irie Benson, 48, of all charges stemming from a 2024 shooting, concluding that he acted in lawful self-defense to protect himself and his elderly uncle from a knife-wielding attacker. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before returning their verdict on January 13, 2026.
What Happened – Drugged and Drunk Attacker Wields Knife
The case arose from an incident on September 20, 2024, near 16th and Mission streets, where Benson was visiting his uncle and friends outside his uncle’s home. According to trial testimony, a stranger approached the group, verbally assaulted Benson’s uncle, threatened to kill him, and brandished a knife. Benson retrieved a firearm from one of his uncle’s friends and displayed it in an attempt to deter the attacker. When the man instead threatened Benson and continued his aggressive behavior, Benson fired a single shot. The attacker survived and was treated at a hospital for nonfatal injuries.
The Legal Aftermath – Good Guy Gets Charged, Spends 15 Months in Jail
Despite evidence supporting a claim of self-defense, prosecutors charged Benson with attempted murder and personal use of a firearm and repeatedly sought to keep him incarcerated.
Benson ultimately spent 15 months in jail following his November 2024 arrest. During that time, he lost his job and was unable to support his family, including his wife and mother, both of whom are seriously ill. He was also deprived of the opportunity to say goodbye to his uncle, who died while Benson was incarcerated.
At trial, the man who allegedly brandished the knife testified for the prosecution, admitting he had been drinking and using drugs at the time of the incident and that he could not remember what happened. The defense argued that the evidence from the outset supported self-defense, pointing to corroborating witness testimony and video evidence. Defense counsel also criticized law enforcement for failing to interview key witnesses, work that was later completed by the public defender’s investigative team.
Following the acquittal, San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju praised the defense team’s work and questioned the decision to pursue the case. He noted that the jury’s swift verdict underscored that the charges should have been dropped earlier, sparing Benson and his family significant hardship and conserving public resources.
The defense team was led by Deputy Public Defender Anthony Gedeon, with support from Deputy Public Defender Pardeep Heyer, Investigator James Faulkner, and Paralegal Miluska Sifuentes.
Commentary – What If He Had Lawyer?
It is unclear if Benson was eligible for bail. If he was an SCD member (as previously noted, California residents are barred by state law from purchasing legal defense services) and eligible for bail, we would have provided up to $1 million in bail bond coverage immediately, in cash, and he would not have had to spend nearly a year and a half behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
We commend the San Francisco Public Defender for aggressively defending Benson against what we believe were ideologically motivated charges. Not all jurisdictions may have ready availability of public defenders, making it difficult to secure timely legal representation. Second Call Defense members have access to our Emergency Legal Hotline 24/7. Call us – an attorney will pick up the phone and provide immediate assistance from the moment you are arrested.
We Got Your Back – Self-Defense Legal Protection That Works for YOU
If you carry for protection — whether concealed carry, home defense, or another reason — understanding what happens after an incident matters as much as knowing how to respond during one. Without robust legal backing:
- You may face years of legal battles without support.
- Your financial resources — savings, future wages, home equity, retirement — could be at risk.
- Your future could be judged not just in court, but in public opinion.
Second Call Defense eliminates those worries by ensuring 24/7 access to legal counsel, immediate financial resources, and peace of mind knowing you’re defended by professionals who actually stand by you with unlimited legal defense for both criminal charges and civil cases.
READ MORE: The Kayla Giles Case – “We Got Your Back” Isn’t Just a Slogan, It’s a Lifeline
Know You’re Truly Protected
At a time when exercising your rights could subject you to intense legal scrutiny, don’t settle for inadequate policies that leave you exposed. Choose a defense partner that:
- Doesn’t cap your legal defense.
- Covers BOTH criminal and civil cases.
- Pays your bail bond immediately up front with no reimbursement.
- Pays attorneys directly — no reimbursement waits.
- Has never lost a self-defense case for a member.
- Promises you don’t pay it back.
That’s the true meaning of “We Got Your Back” — and why responsible citizens across the country trust Second Call Defense.
Don’t leave your legal protection to chance. Explore Second Call Defense membership today and secure peace of mind before you ever need it. With Second Call Defense you have UNLIMITED resources for both criminal and civil cases and much more.
Check out our self-defense legal membership plans today!
Source: San Fransisco Public Defender