Man held in stabbings of Asians in US a no-show

Arraignment delayed after 54-year-old refuses to leave jail for his court appearance

The arraignment of a man who allegedly stabbed two elderly Asian women without warning at a San Francisco bus stop has been postponed after he refused to leave his jail cell and appear in court on Friday.

Patrick Thompson’s appearance on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse was postponed until tomorrow.

District Attorney Chesa Boudin asked that Thompson, 54, be held without bail, and Judge Brian Ferrall agreed.

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.

A witness told KGO-TV that Thompson was carrying a large knife with knuckles on the handle and without warning attacked the women on Tuesday as they waited for a bus on Market Street.

“The knife punctured one victim’s lungs, requiring extensive surgery,” the district attorney’s office said. “A knife had to be removed from another victim at the hospital.”

Authorities initially said the women were 65 and 84 years old and did not immediately identify them. But a family member said the elder victim was 85-year-old Chui Fong Eng.

We also need to work hard to stop the next crime from happening

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Victoria Eng said her grandmother was stabbed in the right arm, and the blade entered her chest. “We were able to visit grandma today! It was so emotional walking in and seeing her,” Eng posted on Thursday on a GoFundMe page that had raised more than US$98,000 to cover medical expenses. ”

Some of the fundraiser money raised was offered to the family of the other victim, “but they politely declined”, the post said.

Both women were expected to survive, authorities said.

Authorities haven’t said whether the women were targeted because of their ethnicity.

But the District Attorney’s office said prosecutors were working with police to determine whether there was evidence to support hate crime allegations.

Police Chief William Scott initially said the attack appeared to be “totally random”.

“What happened is a devastating tragedy, and we will use the full force of our office’s resources to prosecute this case,” the district attorney’s office said.

“We also need to work hard to stop the next crime from happening, and that involves prevention and treatment.