In a shocking daytime incident, a 94-year-old woman fell victim to a brutal stabbing. The attacker, however, will not face prison time, thanks to a decision by a judge criticized for being lenient on crime.
Daniel Cauich, in a violent act, repeatedly stabbed Anh “Peng” Taylor, an elderly woman of Chinese-Vietnamese descent, in San Francisco back in June 2021, as reported by the Daily Mail. This attack occurred during a period marked by increased hate crimes against Asian Americans, causing widespread alarm in the community.
Despite his conviction, Cauich’s defense argued that he was homeless and suffering from mental health issues at the time, exacerbated by a recent car accident. His attorney, Lisa DewBerry, shared that upon realizing his actions, Cauich was brought to tears, unable to fathom the harm he had caused.
Judge Kay Tsenin found the mental health defense persuasive, opting for a five-year probation for Cauich instead of the 12-year jail term proposed by Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Maffei. As part of his sentence, Cauich is required to participate in a behavioral and mental health treatment program.
During the sentencing, Judge Tsenin addressed Cauich, emphasizing this as his final opportunity to avoid state prison. This decision, however, was met with criticism from Maffei, who argued that the leniency was unwarranted given the nature of the attack.
Despite the severity of the assault, the elderly victim miraculously survived. Following the incident, she was moved to an assisted living facility, where, according to her daughter Vivianne Taylor, she has made a significant recovery and is doing well.