Judge denies bail for inmate accused of attacking jail staff 

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Brea Spencer. Lea este artículo en español aquí 

A man accused of attacking multiple San Benito County jail staff in September was denied bail on Oct. 2 because a San Benito County Superior Court judge agreed he is considered to be a threat to public safety.

Santa Clara County resident Saitia Faaifo is facing charges alleging that he attacked multiple jail staff while being transferred to a safety cell after threatening to harm himself. Jail staff received hospital care for various injuries, including lacerations and broken bones. 

Faaifo had been arrested a day prior for allegedly carjacking and attempting to evade the police after escaping a mental health hold at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.

Faaifo’s attorney, public defender Pamela Brown, said that Faaifo’s actions at the time of the attacks “reflected a mental break, not criminal intent,” and requested bail be set at $125,000 in order for him to have access to mental health treatment.

She described Faaifo’s disposition as “erratic” and “paranoid” based on her discussions with him around the time of the alleged attacks on the correctional officers, but that Faaifo’s condition had stabilized under the use of medication. 

Brown said that Faaifo’s domestic partner had been in contact with San Benito County Behavioral Health Department, Santa Clara Behavioral Services and Kaiser Permanente to connect Faaifo with mental health programs and resources. 

“None of this can be accommodated in custody,” Brown said, referring to the mental health programs that could potentially help Faaifo.

Brown emphasized “getting to the root of what caused the break.”

Assistant District Attorney Ellen Campos said her office would be open to a release based on a mental health diversion, following results from a psychological evaluation of Faaifo.

However, Judge Patrick Palacios said that public safety is the principal concern when granting bail. 

Palacios ordered additional pretrial services reports prior to reconsidering a mental health diversion. 

Faaifo’s is scheduled for a preliminary confirmation hearing on Oct. 9. The preliminary examination is scheduled for Oct 13.

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