TYLER – The City of Tyler will show appreciation for outstanding public servants during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) from May 4 through May 8. All City of Tyler non-emergency offices and facilities will be closed Friday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an interdepartmental event. Essential and emergency functions will continue.
Celebrated since 1985, PSRW is a nationwide public recognition campaign honoring the men and women who serve as federal, state, county, and local government employees.
Is California at risk of a gasoline shortage amid the Iran war? Experts explain
(NEW YORK) -- Sky-high gasoline prices are hammering drivers across the United States as the Iran war chokes off global oil supply. California, however, may be feeling the sting more than anywhere else.
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in California clocks in at $6.13, standing 36% higher than the national average, AAA data showed. Some elected officials in the state have warned of a potential oil and gas shortage that could push prices up even further.
Siva Gunda, the vice chairman of the California Energy Commission, on Tuesday said at a hearing of the state assembly that California retains enough gasoline to satiate demand over the coming weeks.
"I do not see presently -- at least up to six weeks -- a supply shortfall," Gunda said. "Beyond that, based on what we're hearing from the industry and what we've observed, the pricing will move molecules to California, but it will come at a price."
David Alvarez, a Democratic California state assembly member who represents Southern San Diego, warned of the potential impact on consumers.
"For six weeks, at least, there seems to be some certainty. But almost as certain is if this situation continues after six weeks, we would likely see some price increases," Alvarez said.
Fuel prices in California typically run higher than other states, even in the best of times. That usual price disparity stems from regulations and taxes imposed in the Golden State, among other factors.
The Iran war has exacerbated the price pressure, exposing California's dependence in large part on foreign imports, some analysts said. A shutdown of some key oil refineries in recent months worsened California's vulnerability, slashing the state's gasoline output in the absence of alternative fuel sources.
Still, the drop-off in gas supply is unlikely to produce a shortage of product at local gas stations, since an ongoing surge in prices should deter some buyers, analysts said. Under such a scenario, known as "demand destruction," high prices make gas unaffordable for some drivers, forcing them to forgo gasoline use altogether.
"A shortage within the continental U.S. would take a really extreme situation, since prices respond to supply and demand," Susan Bell, a senior vice president at the consulting firm Rystad Energy, told ABC News.
The Middle East conflict, which began on Feb. 28, prompted Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of the worldwide supply of oil. As a result, global oil prices have soared more than 50%.
The vast majority of oil that passes through the strait is bound for Asian markets, but some of it reaches the United States, including California. That dependence has worsened a widely felt problem: since oil prices are set on a global market, prices have climbed for just about everyone as buyers chase fewer barrels of crude.
California imports about three-quarters of its oil from foreign nations and Alaska, California Energy Commission (CEC) data shows. Roughly 30% of the state's oil comes from the Middle East, especially Iraq and Saudi Arabia, according to the agency.
"California is challenged buying crude oil because they did buy from the Middle East," Bell said.
The oil bottleneck has driven up the price of crude, straining the state's supply chain. But the shortfall of gasoline in the state owes primarily to a decline in the availability of refined products, some analysts said.
California ships in a portion of its auto fuel from Asia, but those imports have been disrupted by the war, they added.
The shutdown of two major oil refineries in recent months has diminished the state's ability to make up for the lost gasoline with in-state production, they added. A longstanding absence of adequate pipeline infrastructure connected to other states, meanwhile, has prevented California from turning to domestic supply.
Gasoline inventory in the state averaged 9.55 million barrels over the four weeks ending on April 24, CEC data shows. That figure puts inventories near the lowest level on record dating back to 2005, according to a Reuters analysis. That total stock includes non-California gasoline, blending components and California's gasoline blend.
"California has designed an energy island in terms of the products we actually use. We're not connected to the rest of the U.S. as efficiently as many other states are," Paasha Mahdavi, a professor of energy governance and political economy at the University of California, Santa Barbara, told ABC News.
As a result, Mahdavi added: "There's a crunch hitting gas stations."
Despite the supply squeeze, California is unlikely to suffer from long lines at gasoline stations or customers leaving with empty tanks, some analysts said.
Rather, the price of gasoline will continue to move up, reaching such heights that some buyers will turn to alternatives or simply go without fuel, Severin Borenstein, a professor of Business Administration and Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, told ABC News.
If public officials were to put a price cap on gasoline, then customers would likely flock to the pump and empty inventories, Borenstein added. As prices surge, however, customers will fall out of the market instead.
"We don't have any gas lines because we don't regulate the price of gas," Borsenstein told ABC News. "As much as people hate high gas prices, they hate gas lines even more."
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Russia launches deadly overnight strikes in Ukraine despite Zelenskyy’s ceasefire
(LONDON) -- At least one person was killed and two people were injured by an overnight Russian drone strike on a kindergarten building in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, local officials there said on Wednesday, as Moscow's cross-border attacks continued despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's unilateral declaration of a temporary ceasefire beginning at midnight on Tuesday.
Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that Russia launched 108 drones and three missiles into the country overnight, of which 89 drones were intercepted or suppressed. The missiles and nine drones impacted across eight locations, the air force said.
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed to have downed at least 53 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry did not specify whether any Ukrainian drones were intercepted after the unilateral Ukrainian ceasefire came into effect at midnight on Tuesday.
Sumy was among several targets of Russia's overnight strikes. Ukraine's Interior Ministry said in posts to Telegram that at least four people were killed and 19 people injured by Russian strikes in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, which damaged infrastructure plus administrative and residential buildings.
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the ministry said, two women were injured by a drone strike on a house in the southwest of the city which also sparked a fire.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service also reported a Russian drone attack on an apartment building in the southern city of Kherson.
Tuesday night's attacks followed a major Russian missile and drone attack on several Ukrainian cities earlier in the day, in which officials said at least 28 people were killed.
Zelenskyy issued a statement on Wednesday condemning what he described as Russia's "brutal attacks" and Moscow's refusal to partake in the Kyiv-proposed 24-hour ceasefire.
"On all key frontline areas, assault operations are ongoing, and just since the beginning of today, the Russian army has carried out nearly 30 assault operations. More than 20 airstrikes involving over 70 aerial bombs were recorded just last night and this morning," Zelenskyy wrote.
"During the night, the Russian army also launched attacks with various types of drones," the Ukrainian president added.
"Ukraine has clearly stated that it will respond in kind, given the persistent Russian appeals through the media and social networks to maintain silence during the Moscow parade," Zelenskyy wrote, referring to the planned "Victory Day" celebrations in the Russian capital planned for May 9.
Russian President Vladimir Putin this week announced a unilateral truce on May 8 and May 9. Zelenskyy then said Ukraine would mark its own 24-hour ceasefire beginning at midnight on May 5.
"Russia must end its current war. Even with the internet shut down and most Russians' communications blocked, it's absolutely clear that their leadership could emerge from the bunker and choose peace," Zelenskyy wrote. "Our diplomatic proposals are on the Russian side, and the only thing needed is Russia's willingness to move towards real peace."
"As of today, we note that the Russian side has disrupted the ceasefire. Based on the results of our military and intelligence evening reports, we will determine our further actions," he added.
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
In brief: ‘Dutton Ranch’ official trailer and more
The official trailer for Dutton Ranch has arrived. Paramount+ has released a new trailer for the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff series starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser. The new series premieres its first two episodes on May 15. Also part of the main cast are Ed Harris and Annette Bening ...
The series finale of The Boys is set to play in movie theaters. ABC Audio has confirmed that fans will be able to watch the series' final episode in 4DX theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The one-night-only experience will take place on May 19 at 9:30 p.m. local time. This final showdown between Butcher and Homelander will be amplified in 4DX, with fans able to feel "every deafening blast and shocking twist as blood, guts and gore are amplified by this total sensory experience," according to a press release ...
Get ready for more King of the Hill. Hulu has announced that season 15 of the adult animated series will premiere on July 20. All 10 episodes of the new season will drop at once. Season 15 follows Hank and Peggy as they "settle into retirement life on Rainey Street while attempting to keep their neighbors from going off the rails," according to its official synopsis. Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom and Toby Huss star as the show's voice cast ...
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Scoreboard roundup — 5/5/26
Prime Video asks ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ fans not to spoil upcoming film
Prime Video is asking fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty to preserve the magic of Cousins Beach.
The streaming service posted a public announcement to its social media accounts on Tuesday asking fans to not spoil anything about the upcoming The Summer I Turned Pretty film. The movie will conclude the story of the beloved romance series, which ended its three-season run in September 2025.
"We love the excitement, but sharing locations and visiting set disrupts filming and creates real safety concerns for our cast and crew," the post is captioned. "We’re working hard to create a protected bubble to make the best movie possible. Please help us protect the magic of Cousins until it’s ready to be shared."
The post features an aerial video of sand on the beach with audio of waves crashing onto shore. Written in the sand are the words, "Privacy please."
Jenny Han is set to direct The Summer I Turned Pretty's film based on a script she wrote with the series' co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka.
Lola Tung stars as Belly Conklin, a young woman who was caught in a love triangle between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, played by Christopher Briney? and Gavin Casalegno. In the final episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly chose to be with Briney's Conrad once and for all.
At the time the film was announced in September 2025, Han teased what fans can expect from it.
"There is another big milestone left in Belly's journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due," Han said. "I'm so grateful to Prime Video for continuing to support my vision for this story and for making it possible to share this final chapter with the fans."
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Former FedEx driver sentenced to death for killing 7-year-old girl
DALLAS (AP) — A former FedEx driver was sentenced to death on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to killing a 7-year-old girl he took from her Texas home while delivering a Christmas gift.
Jurors in a Fort Worth courtroom decided on Tanner Horner’s punishment after hearing about a month of testimony and evidence that included audio of Athena Strand’s last moments from inside his delivery van. Horner, 34, pleaded guilty to capital murder last month in the 2022 killing just as his trial began. Athena’s body was found two days after she was reported missing from her home in the rural town of Paradise, near Fort Worth.
Horner didn’t visibly react when the judge read the sentence, according to a livestream of the court proceedings.
Jurors found there was a probability Horner would commit criminal violence and be a continuing threat to society. They said there was nothing in the commission of the crime or in Horner’s background to warrant life without parole instead of death.
Prosecutor James Stainton told jurors in opening statements that Horner had told, “lie upon lie upon lie upon lie” in the case, including telling authorities that he accidentally struck Athena with his van while making the delivery and then killed her in a fit of panic.
Several jurors cried as they were shown video and heard audio from inside the van after Athena was taken. He could be seen lifting her into the van, and then driving away, telling her not to scream or he’d hurt her.
Horner then covered the camera, but the audio continued recording. Horner asks Athena questions, including how old she is and where she goes to school, before stopping the van and telling her they are going to “hang out.” Horner tells her to take off her shirt and she begins crying, and asks whether he’s a kidnapper.
She asks him: “Why are you doing this?” He replies, “Because you are pretty.”
“My mom says I can’t do that to somebody,” she tells him. “And you can’t do that to me either.”
As the recording, which lasts over an hour, continues, Athena’s screams can be heard. At one point he tells her: “If you don’t shut up, I will hurt you worse.”
A medical examiner testified that Athena died of blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation.
While acknowledging during opening statements that the evidence against Horner was “overwhelming” and “terrible,” Horner’s attorney, Steven Goble, told jurors that Horner’s mother drank while she was pregnant, that he has autism and suffered from “various mental illnesses throughout his life” in addition to being exposed to a “massive amount of lead.”
Goble had asked jurors to sentence Horner to life in prison.
Athena’s family has said that the package Horner had dropped off was a Christmas present for her — a box of “You Can Be Anything” Barbies.
The trial was moved from rural Wise County to Fort Worth after Horner’s attorneys argued that he would not have received a fair trial.
Voters approve $8.1M ISD bond
GLADEWATER — Gladewater ISD is moving forward with a series of major upgrades after voters approved the district’s $8.1 million bond during Saturday’s municipal election. The district was one of nine across the region where voters said “yes” to new school funding. A significant portion of the bond will go toward campus safety, including installing keyless entry systems at every school. The district will also purchase new school buses equipped with seat belts, thereby improving student transportation safety.
Another major focus of the bond is strengthening the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, an investment aimed at preparing the future workforce of East Texas. Superintendent Rae Ann Patty said the upgrades will ensure students are learning on equipment that reflects real?world industry standards.
Work will begin this summer, starting with HVAC system upgrades and the purchase of new buses. Most construction and classroom improvements are expected to be completed during the 2027–2028 school year.
The bond marks a significant step forward for Gladewater ISD as it works to enhance safety, modernize learning spaces, and expand opportunities for students across the district.
Police vehicle fatally strikes pedestrian
KILGORE — A pedestrian was killed last month in Kilgore after falling from the bed of a pickup truck and being struck by a police vehicle responding to a crash, according to a report from the Texas Department of Transportation. According to our news partner KETK, the incident began when a driver of a pickup truck, believed to be intoxicated, was traveling north on State Highway 135 with a passenger in the bed of the truck in the early hours of April 18. The passenger, who was also reportedly intoxicated, had been asleep during the ride.
According to the report, the passenger woke up at some point, and around the same time, the driver missed an exit and attempted to make a U-turn. During that maneuver, the passenger fell from the bed of the truck onto the roadway. The Kilgore Police Department said they received an automatic 911 call from a smartphone, along with GPS coordinates for its location. Dispatchers sent units to the potential crash after they “could hear an unresponsive individual with labored breathing throughout the call.”
The crash report states that a person driving a Kilgore Police Department vehicle was traveling northbound on State Highway 135 en route to a crash and encountered the pedestrian—who was wearing dark clothing and no reflective materials—lying in the outside lane. Continue reading Police vehicle fatally strikes pedestrian
Major drug trafficking ring dismantled
UPSHUR COUNTY – Following a nearly three-year investigation of drug trafficking in Upshur County, seven people have been placed under arrest in connection with a drug ring that had been distributing large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to our news partner KETK and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy assigned to the DEA Task Force opened an investigation in December 2023 on Cole Seabolt, who is known as an illegal drug supplier in the county.
During the course of the investigation, authorities became aware of a drug trafficking organization that had operated in Upshur and surrounding counties, distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Continue reading Major drug trafficking ring dismantled
Teacher honored at Disney World
JACKSONVILLE – Recognized for her interactive lessons and creative classroom transformation, a Jacksonville teacher got to step into the magical world of Disney as a part of a nationwide educator celebration for National Teacher Appreciation Week. Sandra Rojas, who teaches at Jacksonville Middle School, was chosen alongside 14 other educators as part of the Disney Imagination Campus and the television show “Abbott Elementary’s” Teachers Celebrations.
“[Rojas] gives students choice in how they show understanding through writing, art, and collaboration, and meets with students one-on-one to set goals, review progress, and support growth in reading and communication skills,” Walt Disney World Resort said.
The teachers served as honorary grand marshals in a parade through Magic Kingdom Park in Florida ahead of beloved Disney character and colorful floats.
Continue reading Teacher honored at Disney World
Dominic Sessa stars in Anthony Bourdain biopic ‘Tony’ trailer
A24 has released the first trailer for Tony, the upcoming biographical drama about famed chef, Kitchen Confidential author and legendary Parts Unknown culinary travel host Anthony Bourdain.
Dominic Sessa stars in the film as a 19-year-old Bourdain, who "travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life," according to A24.
The teaser was released Tuesday. In it, a young Bourdain — "Tony" — is seen navigating a tumultuous career, losing out on a writing fellowship only to find himself working in the kitchen of a small seafood restaurant alongside fellow employees Dimitri (Stavros Halkias), Sal (Leo Woodall) and Tyrone (Michael Jibrin).
Their boss, restaurant owner Ciro (Antonio Banderas), pushes Tony to better himself. The trailer shows the pair working together to create simple, elegant plates of lobster, oysters and more, culminating with Ciro handing Tony a white chef's coat.
"What's this?" Tony asks.
"That's for you," Ciro responds.
Tony is directed by Matt Johnson, with a script by Johnson, Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels and Lou Howe.
Additional cast members include Emilia Jones, Dagmara Dominczyk, Rich Sommer, Caroline Portu and Monica Raymund.
The real-life Bourdain, a former executive chef at Manhattan's Brasserie Les Halles, bestselling author, and Food Network and CNN travel host, died in June 2018 at age 61, leaving behind a daughter, Ariane Bourdain.
Tony hits theaters in August 2026.
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Crockett man arrested after stolen gun, illegal drugs found in vehicle
CROCKETT (KETK) – A man was arrested in Crockett on Saturday evening after a stolen firearm and illegal drugs were found inside his vehicle during a traffic stop.
According to our news partner KETK and the Crockett Police Department, at around 10 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop of 25-year-old Jeremy Frizzell after police said he was seen recklessly driving his Dodge Charger on East Loop 304, across from Los Ranchos Mexican Restaurant.
During the traffic stop, Frizzell was taken into custody and charged with reckless driving. Following the arrest, a probable cause search of Frizzell’s car was conducted and officers said they discovered multiple firearms, one of which was confirmed to be stolen from a recent burglary in Houston County.
Officers also discovered what is suspected to be meth and marijuana inside the vehicle, along with drug paraphernalia.
Frizzell now faces the following charges after the search of his vehicle, including: Unlawful carrying of a weapon with a felony conviction, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft of a firearm.
Frizzell is currently being held in the Houston County Jail and the investigation remains ongoing.
‘Some human-to-human transmission’ possible in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship: WHO official
(NEW YORK) -- An epidemiologist at the World Health Organization (WHO) said that there may be some person-to-person spread in the suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship.
As of Monday, there have been seven cases reported aboard the MV Hondius, of which two are laboratory-confirmed and five are suspected. Among those seven, there have been three deaths, including a married couple from the Netherlands, one of whom has been confirmed to have been infected with hantavirus.
"We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that's happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who've shared cabins, [et cetera]," Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist and director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management at the WHO, said during a press conference Tuesday.
"So again, our assumption is that has happened, and that's why we are operating and working with the ship to make sure that anyone who is symptomatic, anyone caring for patients, is wearing full personal protective equipment," she added.
Van Kerkhove noted that hantaviruses normally don't transmit from person to person because it's a "rodent infection." Patients typically become infected when they come into contact with rodent urine, droppings or saliva, according to the WHO.
The initial patients who fell ill may have become infected before they boarded the ship, Van Kerkhove added.
Symptoms of hantavirus infections sometimes do not start until eight weeks after contact with the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The WHO is working under the assumption that the strain of hantavirus in the suspected outbreak is the Andes virus, which historically has been shown to potentially transmit between people, although sequencing is still ongoing, according to Van Kerkhove.
In a post on its website, the WHO said the onset of illnesses aboard the MV Hondius occurred between April 6 and April 28, with patients experiencing fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.
"The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation and laboratory investigations," the WHO wrote in the post.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreysus wrote in a post on X Tuesday that the infection risk to the global population is low and that the agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
Timeline of cases
The first suspected hantavirus case occurred in a 70-year-old male passenger from the Netherlands who developed fever, headache and mild diarrhea on April 6, according to the WHO and South African health officials.
On April 11, the passenger developed respiratory distress and died on board the ship the same day. His body was removed from the ship to the British territory of St. Helena on April 24. No microbiological tests were performed on the man, according to the WHO.
Also on April 24, the male passenger's 69-year-old wife developed gastrointestinal symptoms, health officials said. Her health rapidly declined while on a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 25 and she died upon arrival to an emergency department the next day, the WHO said.
On Monday, May 4, laboratory testing confirmed that the wife was infected with hantavirus.
Health workers have begun working to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the couple. According to the WHO, the couple had traveled in South America, including Argentina, before they boarded the cruise ship on April 1.
During Tuesday's press conference, Van Kerkhove said officials suspect the couple was infected with hantavirus before boarding the ship.
"The initial patients, the initial case and his wife, they joined the boat in Argentina. And with the timing of the incubation period of hantavirus, which can be anywhere from one to six weeks, our assumption is that they were infected off the ship, perhaps doing some activities there," she said.
A British passenger started developing symptoms on April 24, including shortness of breath and signs of pneumonia, according to the WHO and South African health officials.
His condition worsened and he was medically evacuated from Ascension, another British territory, to South Africa on April 27, where he is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Laboratory testing confirmed hantavirus infection over the weekend, the WHO said.
Another passenger, an adult female, began experiencing symptoms on April 28, including a general feeling of being unwell, according to the WHO. She later presented with pneumonia and died on May 2. Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the cruise ship, previously revealed that the patient was a German national.
In addition, there are three suspected cases currently onboard the MV Hondius reporting high fever and/or gastrointestinal symptoms, the WHO said. The ship is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, where medical teams in the area are evaluating the patients and collecting additional specimens for testing, according to the WHO.
Van Kerkhove said the highest priority is to medically evacuate the symptomatic individuals onboard the ship so they receive the care they need.
"The plan now is for the ship to continue on to the Canary Islands. We're working with Spanish authorities who will welcome the ship, have said that they will welcome the ship, to do a full investigation, a full epidemiological investigation, full disinfection of the ship, and of course to assess the risk of the passengers that are actually on board," she said.
"The medical evacuation of two individuals currently requiring urgent medical care, and the individual associated with the guest who passed away on 2 May, will occur using two specialized aircraft that are en route to Cape Verde," Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement Tuesday.
"From here, the patients are to be medically evacuated to the Netherlands," the statement continued, noting that there currently was no "exact timeline" for the evacuation.
The company added that once the guests have been safely transferred and are in transit to the Netherlands, the ship will proceed to the Canary Islands, and further plans will be shared once they are available.
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Man accused of attacking OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home pleads not guilty to attempted murder
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of attempted murder and attempted arson.
Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama, wearing an orange jail uniform, did not speak as his attorney entered the pleas during his arraignment in state court. The 20-year-old also faces federal charges.
Moreno-Gama, of Spring, Texas, hurled the flammable bomb at Altman’s home last month, setting an exterior gate alight before fleeing on foot, authorities allege. Less than an hour later, he went to OpenAI’s headquarters about 3 miles (5 kilometers) away and threatened to burn down the building, they say.
After an initial court appearance last month, his lawyer, Diamond Ward, said Moreno-Gama was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been excessively charged. Ward, a San Francisco deputy public defender, said it was a “property crime, at best” and that prosecutors were trying to curry favor with Altman.
On Tuesday, Ward requested a mental health evaluation for Moreno-Gama. The judge granted the request and scheduled another hearing for later this month.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said last month that Moreno-Gama carried out a “targeted attack on Mr. Altman” and that prosecutors had evidence to substantiate the charges.
Moreno-Gama’s parents said in a statement shortly after the attack that he has never harmed anyone and recently began having mental health issues.
Authorities said Moreno-Gama, who works part-time at a pizzeria and is attending community college, expressed hatred of artificial intelligence in his writings, describing it as a danger to humanity and warning of “impending extinction,” according to court filings.
Officials haven’t said whether Altman was home at the time of the attack.
The state charges carry penalties ranging from 19 years to life in prison.