Judge weighs request to free woman accused of attacking Boston EMT in 2019
BOSTON – A judge will hold another hearing before deciding whether to free the woman accused of attacking a Boston EMT in 2019.
Julie Tejeda, who has been at a mental health facility for nearly four years, appeared in court Wednesday over Zoom.
Investigators say in July 2019 she stabbed Elaina McAlister several times during an ambulance ride.
Nearly four years later EMT Elaina McAlister is still recovering from the July attack. She was in the courtroom Wednesday.
"I just want to thank everyone for their support. My brothers and sisters on the job, my friends and my family. It made it much easier," said McAlister.
Crowds of EMS workers sat in the courtroom in support of McAlister. The case has highlighted the dangers of the job.
"Assaulting an EMT or any public service worker is not OK. We're still going to fight for justice for Elaina," said Matthew Anderson, Union President of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association-EMS Division.
Tejeda has been at Shattuck Hospital since her arraignment in 2019.
"She's been hospitalized this entire time," said Tejeda's lawyers during the hearing Wednesday. "The Department of Mental Health has maintained that they believe she's not competent."
The group of EMS workers hope continued treatment for Tejeda will lead to a trial and hopefully they say, justice.
"She needs to continue to get the treatment she needs to get, so she can be competent and stand trial for what she did," said Anderson.
Until then, the case can not proceed. In court the judge mentioned Tejeda's possible release to voluntary housing.
"It's concerning for multiple reasons. We might end up encountering her again," added Anderson.
There will be another hearing next month. The judge could decide to send Tejeda to a halfway house.