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thedrifter
04-10-07, 07:25 AM
Marine claims not guilty by reason of insanity in beating
San Mateo Daily Journal, CA

The U.S. Marine accused of beating a San Francisco police officer after arriving at San Francisco International Airport from Japan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Yodi Shembo, 24, has been in a locked psychiatric facility while awaiting trial.

On Monday, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and two misdemeanor counts of battery. He returns to court May 30 to set a new jury trial date and receive reports from two doctors assigned to determine the validity of his insanity plea.

Shembo was arrested Oct. 11 after he yelled at passengers in the airport and demanded someone give him a pen, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Other Marines at the airport reportedly attempted to calm Shembo. In response, he allegedly head-butted one of them and pushed the other away. A San Francisco police officer in the area reportedly offered Shembo a pen, which he declined. Shembo then allegedly punched the officer and knocked him to the ground.

The officer hit Shembo with his baton, but Shembo grabbed the baton from the officer and began hitting him with it in front of several onlookers. During Shembo’s first court appearance, his attorney questioned his ability to aid in his own defense but a pair of doctors later found him competent.

Ellie