Local News

Arraignment Delayed For Hit-&-Run Rampage Suspect

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ― A man accused of running down 14 people on the streets of San Francisco, almost killing one and seriously injuring several others, must undergo further psychological evaluation before entering a plea in San Francisco Superior Court.

Omeed Aziz Popal, 29, did not say a word at Thursday's appearance as his counsel, Deputy Public Defender Sandy Feinland, asked the court for more time to gather documents on Popal's previous mental health "breakdowns."

 Slideshow: Hit & Run Rampage
 Raw Video: Crime Scene, Witness Statements

Superior Court Judge Donna Alyson Little ordered Popal to return on Oct. 18, after further testing, to enter a plea and set a date for trial. Today marked his third appearance in the courtroom.

After bailiffs escorted Popal away, several of his weeping family members filed out into the hallway but none commented on Thursday's hearing. Feinland also would not comment on the current state of Popal's mental health.

District attorney's spokeswoman Bilen Mesfin said that "though rare, delays like this can be part of the process when a defendant's psychological state is an issue."

Mesfin also said the district attorney's office would wait for the defense to enter a plea before developing a strategy in prosecuting the case.

Popal faces life in prison if convicted of the charges against him: 18 separate felony counts of attempted murder, 18 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon—his black Honda Pilot—and one count each of felony battery of a police officer and reckless evasion causing injuries, according to the district attorney's office.

Police say Popal drove amok in San Francisco Aug. 29 in an intentional effort to run down pedestrians across the city. He is also suspected of driving into and killing a pedestrian in Fremont before heading to San Francisco, a charge he is expected to face later in Alameda County.

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