Thompson, who has a history of mental illness, could face a potential life sentence if convicted.
San Francisco public defender Eric Fleischaker is representing Thompson and said the attack was not racially motivated and that his client has suffered mental health issues his entire adult life.
“We do know that Mr. Thompson was suffering from a mental health crisis and was psychiatrically hospitalized immediately after this incident,” Fleischaker said
Thompson thrived for nearly two years while on a rigorous, court-mandated mental health diversion program.
“Sadly, many life-saving social services have not been available during the COVID crisis, and the lack of consistent care led to this situation, which is tragic for all involved,” Fleischaker said.
Thompson, who has a history of mental illness, could face a potential life sentence if convicted. San Francisco public defender Eric Fleischaker is representing Thompson, and his office said he may release a statement later Friday.
Boudin, whose approach of stressing restorative justice over mass incarceration has come under fire, said he will prosecute the case himself, a move that the San Francisco Police Officers Association called a “political stunt.”
“The victims in this case and their families deserve the most experienced violent crime prosecutor in court today and not a criminal defense attorney with zero experience prosecuting any crime,” said Tony Montoya, president of the association, which opposed Boudin’s candidacy for district attorney,
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what s clicking on Foxnews.com.
A San Francisco man accused in a violent knife attack on two older Asian women refused to come out of his jail cell Friday, forcing his arraignment to be postponed until Monday.
Patrick Thompson, 53, who allegedly stabbed the women while they were waiting to catch a bus on Market Street, will be held without bail.
Thompson has a history of mental illness and an extensive arrest record, according to KPIX-TV in San Francisco, which reported he had been arrested more than two dozen times in the last 20 years, citing a police source.
Thompson was set to be arraigned on Friday afternoon, however, he refused to come to court from jail, Thompson s attorney Deputy Public Defender Eric Fleischaker said in court. The arraignment has been continued to Monday.
In addition to the attempted murder, assault and elder abuse charges, Thompson is also facing enhancements for great bodily injury, great bodily injury on elders and personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he could potentially be sentenced to life in prison, prosecutors said. San Francisco District Attronery Chessa Boudin said he will present two counts of first degree attempted murder and several other felonies against a man accused of stabbing two Asian women at a bus stop. Sergio Quintana reports.
Newsom s AG pick will test California s mood on criminal justice
OAKLAND Becoming California s top cop may have been the easy part. Keeping the job is another story.
Rob Bonta was Gov. Gavin Newsom s choice for state attorney general after eight years as a liberal Democratic state lawmaker. He was celebrated in March by police reformers and Asian American organizations as a groundbreaking pick at a time of social upheaval.
But Bonta has routinely been at odds with law enforcement, who remain powerful in California and could very well back a credible challenger. Whether Bonta survives next year in his first statewide election will be the ultimate test of whether this once tough-on-crime state has truly changed.