Stanford U. Employee Pleads Not Guilty to Near-Fatal Stabbing

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- A Stanford University employee arrested Sunday in San Francisco has been charged with attempted homicide for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend while under the influence of the hallucinogen LSD, San Francisco prosecutors said.

During his arraignment Wednesday, James Shirvell, 26, pleaded not guilty to the attempted homicide charge, as well as charges of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury.

Shirvell is alleged to have stabbed his girlfriend numerous times with a kitchen knife at a home in the 500 block of Kansas Street early Sunday morning around 12:25 a.m. The couple had allegedly taken LSD together at some point before the stabbing.

Shirvell's girlfriend was hospitalized for stab wounds and lacerations to her shoulder, arm, back, face and head. She also suffered a collapsed lung, according to court documents.

Shirvell is employed as an assistant director of admission at Stanford, and has been placed on leave, university officials said.

His next court appearance is scheduled for March 13.

Bay City News Service contributed to this article