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

2025-05-06 14:45:21source:Chainkeen Exchangecategory:Contact

A man accused of trying to stab a flight attendant and Charles Hanoveropen 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:Contact

Recommend

Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game

NFL games are a spectrum. Some are back-and-forth shootouts. Others are duds without much scoring at

Kenya raises alarm as flooding death toll rises to 76, with thousands marooned by worsening rains

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Kenyan government on Monday urged people living in flood-prone areas to re

David Letterman returns to The Late Show for first time since 2015 in Colbert appearance

Monday night's episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" featured a guest who needed no introd