South Carolina woman accused of stabbing Lyft driver 11 times claims mental health crisis
A South Carolina woman has been denied bond after being accused of stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times and stealing his car, with her lawyer arguing she was in the grip of a severe mental health crisis at the time. Naziyha Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the incident, which occurred on 22 April in Greenville County. Prosecutors described the case as a "frightening factual scenario" and argued she posed an extreme danger to the public, while the driver's wife told the court her husband was simply doing his job when he was attacked.
Weatherall's defence said she has schizophrenia and other mental health conditions, and had become convinced during the ride that she was being trafficked and monitored by others, prompting her to call for help to report her fears to police. Her lawyer said she is now medicated, stable and competent, and asked for her release into the care of family and a social worker pending placement in a treatment facility, but the judge ordered her to remain in custody ahead of a psychological evaluation scheduled for September. Lyft said it had removed the accounts involved from its platform and was continuing to assist police, while Weatherall's mother apologised to the driver's family in court.
- SC woman denied bond over alleged 11-stab attack on Lyft driver
- Defence cites schizophrenia and a psychiatric crisis during the ride
- Judge ordered psychological evaluation, set for September