JUDGE ORDERS MENTAL HEALTH CHECK

Man’s police record, alleged actions in plane attack cited

A man charged with attacking a flight attendant and attempting to open an airliner’s emergency door on a cross-country flight over the weekend remained in custody Thursday after a federal court ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Francisco Severo Torres, 33, of Leominster, Mass., was arrested Sunday when United Flight 2609 from Los

Angeles landed in Boston, and made his first court appearance for a bail hearing. A magistrate judge postponed the detention hearing until after the mental health evaluation is completed.

Torres is charged with a felony related to interfering with flight crew members using a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors say he tried to stab the crewmember with a modified metal spoon.

Prosecutor Elianna Nuzum requested the evaluation, saying Torres’ police record and his actions on the plane indicate he is mentally ill and unable to understand the court proceedings.

Torres objected to the evaluation through his federal public defender, Joshua Hanye.

Torres asked if he could address the court, saying “the God, the Son and the Holy Spirit say that I should,” but relented when the magistrate judge advised against it.

As Torres left the courtroom Thursday, he said “My name is still Balthazar,” a name he used during a rant on the plane. His attorney declined comment after the hearing.

The plane was about 45 minutes from Boston when the crew received an alarm that a side door on the aircraft was disarmed, according to court documents. One flight attendant noticed the door’s locking handle had been moved. Another saw Torres near the door and believed he had moved the handle.

The crew told the captain that Torres was a threat and the plane should be landed as soon as possible, authorities said.

After being confronted by crew, Torres reportedly attacked a flight attendant.

More than a dozen male passengers rushed down the aisle after Torres. He was subdued by several passengers and restrained until the plane landed.