South Carolina Woman Denied Bond After Alleged Attack on Lyft Driver

A South Carolina woman, accused of repeatedly stabbing her Lyft driver before stealing his vehicle, was denied bond. Her attorney argued she was undergoing a severe mental health crisis during the incident.

Incident Details

Naziyha Weatherall faces serious charges, including attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. These charges arise from an incident on April 22 in Greenville County, as stated in court records.

Prosecutors described the case as an “alarming factual scenario” during the bond hearing, emphasizing the danger Weatherall could pose to the community. They highlighted that the victim, a Lyft driver, was simply attempting to perform his duties when attacked.

“The victim was just doing his job and was stabbed 11 times,” a solicitor noted. “After the stabbing, her carjacked the vehicle.”

Impact on the Victim

The driver’s wife represented him in court. She expressed concern over the violence her husband faced while working and its implications for others.

“Our worry is this happened while my husband was merely providing a service,” she said. “This level of violence worries us for other community members’ safety.”

Defense and Mental Health Context

Weatherall’s lawyer requested the court consider her mental state. The attorney emphasized that Weatherall hadn’t faced prior charges and was experiencing a psychiatric crisis.

Defense details indicated Weatherall believed she was being monitored and harmed, leading her to call for a ride to report these fears to authorities.

“Her paranoia led her to seek help,” the attorney explained. “Her mother even informed the police that she was coming to report her concerns.”

Weatherall was diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health issues. The attorney stated she is now stable and medicated, requesting her release for treatment at a facility.

“She is not a criminal,” her mother expressed, apologizing to the victim’s family. “We all suffer from this incident.”

Judicial Decisions and Lyft’s Response

In June, a judge ordered competency evaluations for Weatherall. On Friday, her bond request was denied, keeping her in custody until a psychological evaluation in September.

Lyft responded by removing the involved rider accounts permanently. A spokesperson stated, “We prioritize the driver’s well-being and have offered them and their family our support.”