A 42-year-old man accused of stabbing a Fresno County prosecutor near the downtown courthouse has been charged with attempted murder and assault and could face life in prison if convicted on all counts, officials said Monday.

Dustin Crawford is charged with assault on a public official, attempted willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Thursday attack, according to a criminal complaint filed in Fresno County Superior Court.

Prosecutors allege Crawford attacked the prosecutor with a knife and inflicted great bodily injury. The complaint identifies the victim only as John Doe.

The assault on a public official charge includes an allegation that Crawford attempted to murder the prosecutor in retaliation for or to prevent the performance of the prosecutor’s official duties.

The complaint also alleges Crawford personally used a knife during the attack and includes great bodily injury enhancements on all three counts.

Crawford has a prior serious or violent felony conviction, according to the complaint. Court records included in the filing show he was convicted in Fresno County in March 2016 of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a March 2015 offense. Prosecutors allege the conviction qualifies as a strike under California law.

The complaint also lists several aggravating factors, alleging Crawford engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society, that the crime involved great violence or bodily harm, and that he was armed with or used a weapon.

Tulare County Will Oversee the Case

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward announced the filing of the charges Monday.

At the request of Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case in Fresno County Superior Court.

Crawford is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Department 31 of the Fresno County Superior Courthouse, where a future court date is expected to be set.

If convicted on all charges, Crawford faces life in prison.

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