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Crime & Safety

Judge Denies Lower Bail For Woman Who Stabbed Pet Lizard

Judge Clifford Cretan rejected a request to decrease the bail of Shawna Kim Apour, retaining her $200,000 bail.

A San Mateo County Superior Court judge today denied a bail decrease for the San Carlos woman accused of and attempting to disarm a deputy in a separate incident.

Judge Clifford Cretan rejected a request to lower the bail for Shawna Kim Apour and retained her $200,000 bail.

Defense attorney Charles Smith said Apour’s offenses were triggered by an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, who allegedly battered and threatened to kill Apour. 

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Smith said Apour is receiving mental health treatment but a doctor has recommended placement at an outpatient center.

“She acted out inappropriately, your honor, and I think it’s a medicinal issue and a mental health issue,” he said.

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Deputy District Attorney Tricia Povah said Apour’s release would pose a threat and requested her bail be increased to $250,000 in light of the death of her boyfriend’s pet bearded lizard, “Speedy.”

On Aug. 12, Apour allegedly stabbed the 14-year-old lizard then used the knife to vandalize her boyfriend’s brother’s 1958 Buick and slash the tires on two other cars, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Apour was wielding the knife when deputies arrived, and authorities used a stun gun on her after she refused to put down the weapon.

She was charged with domestic violence, cruelty to animals, vandalism and weapon possession.

Apour was arrested again, the second time in three days, when police found her walking on active railroad tracks. Deputy Bridget Hensley confronted Apour and was met with aggressive behavior, police said. Apour allegedly attempted to remove Hensley's gun and Taser.   

This episode added the following charges to her rap sheet: attempting to disarm a deputy, trespassing, resisting arrest and committing a felony while on bail.

Apour pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from both incidents.

Smith said the death of a reptile was no reason to increase his client’s bail. Apour, who stood in the inmate holding area wearing an orange jumpsuit, started crying out during Smith’s rebuttal.

Apour’s mother and sister attended the hearing.

Judge Cretan called the seven felonies and four misdemeanors “a whole smorgasbord of different offenses.”

“She is or was out of control,” he said.

After denying the bail reduction, Cretan scheduled Apour's preliminary hearing for Sept. 1.

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