Gerald Curry’s Attacker Gets Life Sentence

Estate planning and probate law is one of the more secure areas of law vis a vis the attorney’s physical safety.  But, as Gerald Curry found out on Halloween in 2003, the probate practice has its dark side.

As Mr. Curry was outside a California courthouse, a disgruntled beneficiary, William Strier, of a trust being administered by one of Mr. Curry’s clients shot him repeatedly in the neck, arm, and shoulder.  Despite seeking shelter behind a tree, Mr. Curry was seriously injured.  As Strier walked away from the shooting, he reportedly stated, “That’s what you get for taking my money.”

You may even remember watching Mr. Curry’s attack on television because it was caught on tape by reporters covering the Robert Blake murder trial.

You will be pleased to learn the following:

• Mr. Curry has now recovered and has resumed his law practice.  See Then & Now: Gerald Curry, CNN.com, Oct. 27, 2005.
   
• On March 17, 2006, Strier was sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years (I guess the judge wanted to be sure that if Stier came back as a zombie or vampire, he would still have to spend another quarter century in jail.)  See Man who shot lawyer imprisoned for life, CNN.com, March 17, 2006.