Former Uber driver acquitted in passenger's shooting death

Jurors on Friday acquitted a former Uber driver in the 2019 shooting death of passenger following a dispute that escalated quickly after a third man vomited in the car.

Clayton Benedict, 39, was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter a day after he testified that he shot 27-year-old James Porter in self-defense beside a busy Albuquerque freeway.

It took jurors five hours to reach a verdict that ended a five-day trial in 2nd Judicial District Court, resolving a case that made nationwide headlines seven years ago.

Attorneys said in closing arguments Friday that the fatal series of events began when Benedict picked up two intoxicated men at the Salt Yard, 6001 Osuna NE, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2019.

A dispute escalated after Porter's companion vomited in Benedict's Ford Focus. Porter became irate after Benedict said he would impose a clean-up fee allowed by Uber policies, Benedict testified.

The fatal shooting occurred after Benedict stopped his car on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 25 and ordered the men out of the car.

Benedict's attorney, Raymond Maestas, told jurors Friday that his client fired in self-defense after Porter threatened to run over Benedict and began to climb into the driver's seat of Benedict’s car.

Maestas said in closing arguments that New Mexico law allows a person "stand your ground" and take defensive measures without a duty to retreat.

"The law puts no duty on Clayton (Benedict) to retreat," Maestas told jurors. "Not a shred of evidence exists that Clayton ever moved toward James Porter at all."

A medical expert testified this week that Porter had used ecstasy and had a 0.23 blood-alcohol content, nearly three times the legal limit of intoxication, at the time of his death.

Prosecutor Guinevere Ice told jurors Friday that Benedict could have ended the confrontation without bloodshed if he had simply driven away after Porter and his friend got out of the car.

"He's just going to drop off these two drunk guys at the side of the highway. He doesn't have to deal with them anymore," Ice said in closing arguments. Instead, Benedict stepped outside his driver's side door and chastised the men for slamming his car door, she said .

"Why would he get out of his vehicle when he's just kicking these people out?" Ice said. "He's not letting this argument go. The only reason he would get out of the car at that point is because he's upset."

Ice argued that Benedict further escalated by unholstering a gun and pointing it at the unarmed Porter.

"The defendant is the one who brought deadly force into a situation that was not deadly," she told jurors. "He created this entire situation." She also said Porter had a right to defend himself against lethal force.

Benedict testified Thursday that Porter became irate after he learned that he might be assessed a clean-up fee. Benedict said he became fearful and decided to end the ride, which is allowed under Uber policies. 

After Benedict chastised the men for slamming the car door, Porter responded by "ripping off articles of clothing" and came around the back of the car with his fists clenched, he testified.

Benedict said his back was against the car door with traffic to his right, restricting his movement. Benedict unholstered a handgun in self-defense, he said.

Porter then stepped into traffic lanes on I-25, causing cars to veer to avoid him, Benedict told jurors. Benedict used the opportunity to move around the car door and put distance between himself and Porter, he said.

Porter then threatened to run over Benedict, he told jurors. Benedict fired multiple gunshots as Porter began to enter the car, he said.

The trial was delayed by lengthy appeals after a district court judge threw out a second-degree murder charge against Benedict. Then-Attorney General Hector Balderas appealed the move but the state Supreme Court later found that the lower court had acted correctly.

Olivier Uyttebrouck covers the court system. You can reach him at olivier@abqjournal.com.