Crime & Safety
$10 Million Bail, Mental Health Check Ordered For Man Accused Of Stabbing SFO Police Officer
The man is accused of stabbing an officer several times after a confrontation at an airport terminal.
REDWOOD CITY, CA — The mental health of a man who allegedly stabbed a San Francisco Police Department officer at San Francisco International Airport last week was called into question this week during an appearance in San Mateo County Superior Court.
Dooris Johnston, 64, has been charged with attempted murder and making criminal threats for allegedly stabbing an officer several times after a confrontation at an airport terminal on Sept. 26.
At Wednesday's hearing, Johnston maintained to Judge Mark Forcum that he would like to act as his own attorney. However, when Forcum asked Johnston a mandatory set of questions he began to appear angry, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
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Johnston then stated, "I do not recognize your authority and I do not recognize the law," Wagstaffe said.
Forcum called into question whether Johnston was competent to stand trial. The judge then suspended criminal proceedings in order for doctors to be able to determine whether Johnston is able to stand trial.
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Johnston's case was continued to Nov. 15, according to Wagstaffe.
On Sept. 26 at 2:20 p.m., officers at the airport responded to a report of a suspicious person in the roadway near Terminal One, police said. Upon arrival, an officer spotted the suspect, later identified as Johnston, near a baggage carrousel and attempted to contact him. The suspect, however, turned and suddenly attacked the officer without provocation, stabbing him with a sharp object and swinging at him, police said.
The officer was able to knock Johnston to the ground and tried to detain him. That's when Johnston allegedly stabbed the officer several times.Several bystanders came to the officer's aid and helped him detain Johnston, according to police.
The 49-year-old officer, who is a 23-year veteran with the police department, was hospitalized and treated for stab wounds to his hand and leg and lacerations to his face and neck. He was released later that same evening, police said.
Johnston remains in custody at the Maguire Correctional Facility and is being held on $10 million bail.
— By Bay City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone
