The arraignment of a man accused of stabbing a Fresno County senior deputy district attorney near the downtown courthouse was postponed Tuesday as the court conducts conflict checks in the case.

Dustin Crawford, 42, appeared Tuesday morning before Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Hamilton in Department 52.

The judge postponed Crawford’s arraignment until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday pending conflict checks.

Numerous staff members from the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office attended Tuesday’s hearing. The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case at the request of Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.

Tulare County prosecutor Jessica Weatherly appeared on behalf of the prosecution, while Greg Gross appeared on behalf of Crawford.

Charges Against Crawford

Crawford is accused of stabbing a Fresno County prosecutor Thursday, Aug. 20, near the Fresno County courthouse in downtown Fresno.

He is charged with assault on a public official, attempted willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder, and assault with a deadly weapon, 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.

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

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