Mental evaluation ordered for man accused in flight attack
Published:Thursday | March 9, 2023 | 9:08 PM
BOSTON (AP) — 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, Massachusetts 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.
Handcuffed and wearing a beige prison overall, 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.
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