A South Carolina woman, Naziyha Weatherall, remains in custody after being accused of stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times and taking his vehicle. A judge denied her bond on Friday. Her attorney argued that she experienced a mental health crisis during the incident.

Charges and Allegations

Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The charges relate to an event on April 22 in Greenville County. Prosecutors described the situation as a “frightening factual scenario,” emphasizing that Weatherall poses a significant danger to the community.

The victim was simply just trying to do his job and was stabbed 11 times, a solicitor said in court. His car was then carjacked by this defendant.

The driver’s wife spoke in court, stating that the trauma from the attack prevented her husband from attending. She expressed concern about the implications of such violence occurring during routine work duties.

Mental Health Defense

Weatherall’s lawyer asked the court to consider her mental health at the time of the alleged attack. The defense claimed paranoia led Weatherall to believe people were monitoring and seeking to harm her. She reportedly called for a ride to report her fears to the police.

Her mother had informed the police of her intentions to file a report, but the situation escalated into a crisis. Weatherall had diagnoses of schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Her lawyer also mentioned that she is now medicated, stable, and competent.

Court Decision and Community Reaction

Despite the arguments, the court denied Weatherall’s bond, pending further psychological evaluation scheduled for September. Her mother asked the court to consider her daughter’s mental health and offered an apology to the driver’s family.

During the hearing, Lyft confirmed the removal of the rider accounts involved and their ongoing cooperation with law enforcement. They prioritize the driver’s well-being and have reached out to the family to offer support.

The case remains under observation as Weatherall undergoes additional evaluations to assess her mental state.