A San Francisco man has been found guilty of a brutal stabbing in the city's Tenderloin district following an altercation last year. Richard Rice, 21, was convicted by a jury on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem, according to a press release from the office of District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
In the incident, which took place on Ellis Street on February 16, 2023, Rice engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim after leaving a bar. Rice proceeded to stab the victim 11 times, resulting in severe injuries, including a large facial laceration leading to permanent scarring, the District Attorney's Office reported. Rice now faces eight years in state prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 14.
The jury's verdict was hailed by DA Jenkins, who, in the press release, emphasized the message that "violence will not be tolerated in our city and those who commit acts of violence will be held accountable and face consequences," Assistant District Attorney Yuri Chornobil acknowledged the jury's careful consideration, thanking them for bringing justice to the victim. "The jury’s verdict brings justice to the victim for the serious injuries he sustained and holds Mr. Rice accountable for his egregious actions," Chornobil stated in the same release.
The successful prosecution of Rice was attributed to the collective efforts of the Assistant District Attorney and the general felonies paralegal team, along with significant contributions from the San Francisco Police Department’s Night Investigations Unit. The case was built on solid evidence that led to the jury’s conviction, ensuring that the severe harm caused to the victim did not go unpunished, the District Attorney's Office described.
