South Carolina Woman Denied Bond in Lyft Driver Stabbing Case

A woman from South Carolina, Naziyha Weatherall, is facing serious charges after allegedly stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times and stealing his car. A court has denied her bond. Her attorney argued that she was experiencing a severe mental health crisis at the time of the incident.

The charges she faces include attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to court records from Greenville County. The incident occurred on April 22.

During the bond hearing, prosecutors described the situation as a “frightening factual scenario” and cited Weatherall as a significant threat to public safety. “The victim was just doing his job and was stabbed 11 times,” a solicitor noted.

The driver’s wife represented him in court, recounting the trauma and emphasizing the significant implications of such violence on the community. “What concerns us most is that this happened while my husband was working,” she said, concerned for potential risks to others.

Weatherall’s lawyer asked the court to consider her mental state. He pointed out that she had not been charged with any crime previously and was suffering from a psychiatric emergency. The defense explained that paranoia had led Weatherall to mistakenly believe people were watching and intending to harm her, prompting her to call for a Lyft ride to report these fears to the police.

The attorney mentioned Weatherall’s beliefs of being trafficked, her panic during the ride, and her diagnosis of schizophrenia and other mental health issues. Now medicated and stable, Weatherall is considered fit for evaluation. Her lawyer requested her release to facilitate her treatment at a specialized facility.

Weatherall’s mother expressed her apologies to the victim’s family, stressing her daughter’s condition. “She’s not a criminal,” she stated.

In response, a judge denied the bond request and arranged a psychological evaluation for Weatherall in September. Meanwhile, Lyft has permanently removed the rider accounts involved and is cooperating with law enforcement.

“Violence like this has no place in the Lyft community or in our society,” stated a Lyft spokesperson, emphasizing their support for the driver and his family during this difficult time.