A man accused of stabbing another man more than 20 times during a fight in downtown San Diego pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Pierce Tostado, 20, is accused of stabbing Jordan Hardgrow in the chest and abdomen around 1:30 a.m. Jan. 16 in the 800 block of 11th Avenue. The victim remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, suffering stab wounds to his heart and lungs, according to Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams.
The prosecutor said witnesses reported Tostado following the victim and “verbally harassing him,” prompting him to turn around and ask the defendant if he wanted to fight.
A fistfight ensued and at some point, Tostado allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Hardgrow five times. The victim collapsed to the ground, and Williams alleged Tostado then knelt down and continued stabbing him. A bystander briefly pulled Tostado away from the victim, but the defendant returned and stabbed Hardgrow several more times, the prosecutor alleged.
Bail was set at $1 million and his next court date is a March 9 readiness conference.