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DSA In the News

Accused attacker remains in hospital

Published on 12/14/2010


The coastside man accused of sawing at the neck of his live-in girlfriend with a serrated knife remains unable to appear in court on attempted murder and knife use charges due to hospitalization.

David John Vanalstine, 56, remains hospitalized with an undisclosed medical condition and has yet to be cleared for booking into Maguire Correctional Facility, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. As a result, Vanalstine missed his third arraignment hearing Monday in the attack on his 56-year-old girlfriend. 

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Vanalstine Dec. 2 after responding to a 911 call by his 56-year-old girlfriend at approximately 4:43 p.m. 

The woman told dispatchers she had been stabbed by her boyfriend who was still inside her mobile home.

On Dec. 2, Vanalstine allegedly held the woman down on the couch by her hair and began sawing at her neck with a serrated knife, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Vanalstine allegedly stopped when the woman’s friend arrived. Deputies found her outside the Pillar Ridge Estates residence in Moss Beach with a 10-centimeter laceration to her neck, from her carotid artery to her ear, and Vanalstine also at the scene, according to the District Attorney’s Office. 

Both were taken to the hospital where the woman underwent surgery and is expected to recover. Vanalstine was also treated for his medical condition.

The attack came days after Vanalstine was sentenced to 45 days in jail for a 2010 misdemeanor drunk driving conviction with priors. Police believe the victim turned Vanalstine in on the charge. Judge Cliff Cretan stayed the sentence until Jan. 22.

Vanalstine is being guarded at the hospital and held on no-bail status.