Grayson  Preston:Man accused of trying to stab flight attendant, open door mid-flight deemed not competent to stand trial, judge rules

2025-05-05 23:08:58source:Algosenseycategory:reviews

A man accused of trying to stab a flight attendant and Grayson  Prestonopen a plane door mid-flight has been found incompetent to stand trial.

In a competency hearing held Wednesday, a forensic evaluation was presented showing Francisco Severo Torres "does not understand the nature and consequences of the proceeding against him and is unable to assist in his defense," court documents said. 

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein found that Torres was not competent to stand trial at the time and said he needed further treatment, noting Torres himself "personally objects and asserts he is competent to stand trial," the documents show.

Prosecutors allege Torres, 33, was tampering with an emergency exit while on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston in March. When flight attendants confronted him, he allegedly hit one of them in the neck three times with a broken metal spoon. 

Francisco Severo Torres on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Lisa Olsen / AP

Prosecutors claim Torres told passengers he was "taking over this plane" and that there would be a "bloodbath," CBS Boston reported.

Other passengers on the flight restrained him until the plane landed safely at Logan Airport in Boston. 

Torres had objected to a mental evaluation during a March court appearance, but the judge eventually ordered one, CBS Boston reported.

He is charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.

    In:
  • United Airlines

More:reviews

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

Winnipeg Jets promote Scott Arniel to replace retired coach Rick Bowness

The Winnipeg Jets named Scott Arniel as the franchise's head coach Friday, replacing the retired Ric

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to miss Game 3 vs. Celtics with hamstring injury

Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton will not play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference fi