A South Carolina woman, Naziyha Weatherall, has been denied bond after being accused of stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times and taking his vehicle. The incident occurred in Greenville County on April 22, as indicated by court records. Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
During the bond hearing, prosecutors described the events as a “frightening factual scenario,” emphasizing the extreme danger Weatherall poses to the community. A solicitor pointed out the victim was performing his job when attacked and then had his car stolen.
The driver’s wife appeared in court, expressing concern for her husband’s safety and highlighting the risks such violence poses to others in the community. She noted her husband was simply working when the attack took place.
Weatherall’s attorney requested that the court consider her mental health crisis at the time of the alleged crime. The lawyer stated Weatherall, who had no prior criminal charges, experienced paranoia and believed she was being monitored and harmed, leading her to call a ride to report these fears to the police.
According to the defense, Weatherall thought she was being trafficked and panicked during her ride. She has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Her attorney stated that she is now medicated and stable, seeking her release so that she could be placed in a treatment facility with the help of relatives and a social worker.
Weatherall’s mother offered an apology to the victim’s family and urged the court to consider her daughter’s mental state, asserting that Weatherall is not inherently violent.
In June, the judge ordered evaluations of Weatherall’s mental competency and observation. Despite the defense’s request, Weatherall remains in jail, awaiting a psychological evaluation scheduled for September.
Lyft responded by removing the accounts involved and reiterated their priority for the victim’s well-being, offering support to him and his family. The company assured its commitment to safety, stating violence has no place in the Lyft community or society.
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