Booking photo of Francisco Torres. Photo: Massachusetts State Police
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Leominster man accused of trying to stab a flight attendant on a Logan-bound flight this past Sunday appeared in federal court on Thursday.
Francisco Torres is accused of trying to open an emergency door on United Airlines Flight 2609 while the plane was en route from Los Angeles. According to a criminal complaint, several witnesses told police that Torres tried to stab a flight attendant after being confronted about the door.
Passengers said sharp object Torres allegedly used was a metal spoon with the bowl end broken off. Police said Torres admitted to the attempted stabbing, but was convinced the flight attendant was going to kill him.
He was eventually tackled by a fellow passenger and restrained by several others.
Torres is facing federal flight interference charges that could land him in prison for the rest of his life.
At Thursday's court appearance, Torres was handcuffed to a table. A judge ordered Torres to undergo a mental health evaluation, followed by a competency hearing.
Torres has a history in court. Just last May, the Leominster man tried to sue Attleboro's Fuller Hospital in federal court for "7 billion dollars" for denying him almond milk. Another suit brought by Torres asked for $50 billion because, the suit says, medical staff at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital didn't believe he was in pain.
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