A Point Loma man pleaded guilty earlier this week to attempted murder and domestic violence charges. When police responded to the residence of William Stephens, 66, after his wife had called 911, on Jan. 23, 2025, Stephens intentionally drove his Jeep at an officer and struck him, seriously injuring him.
Stephens is expected to be sentenced to 12 years to state prison in June.
Prosecutors allege that as Officer Matthew Salisbury approached the home’s driveway, Stephens sped toward the officer, who attempted to evade the vehicle by moving behind a bush located near the driveway’s entrance. Stephens then turned his Jeep toward the bush, striking Salisbury, then crashed into a mailbox and another vehicle parked on the street, as 10News reported.
Stephens then exited the Jeep and was taken to the ground by multiple officers and handcuffed.
The San Diego police officer sustained fractures to one of his legs and a dislocated knee, according to evidence presented at a preliminary hearing last year.
Officers were called out after Stephens’ wife called 911 and stated her husband had threatened her and cut her hand with a knife. Stephens’ wife testified that she and her sister went to the home and encountered Stephens, who appeared extremely angry and demanded they leave. She said that after he grabbed a knife from a knife block in the kitchen, she approached Stephens, put her hand up in a defensive gesture when he held the knife too close to her, and attempted to grab the blade, cutting her hand in the process. The women then exited the house and called 911.
