Moss Beach Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Court Today

David John Vanalstine, the man accused of at the Pillar Ridge Estates in Moss Beach last December, is scheduled to appear in San Mateo County court this afternoon for a pretrial conference.

Vanalstine allegedly began "sawing" on the victim's neck with the knife after pulling her by her hair on the couch shortly after she returned home from work, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Authorities were notified about the incident when the victim called 9-1-1 after her friend arrived at the residence.

The victim received a 10-inch laceration which ran from her left carotid artery (located on the neck) to her ear, according to the District Attorney's office.

Cal Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the victim's call and deemed the woman's injuries life-threatening. The call was received at 4:43 p.m. by San Mateo County's Public Safety Communications.

The victim was transported to Stanford Hospital for surgery and survived. Vanalstine was also transported to the hospital for treatment of a medical condition before being booked into county jail.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Vanalstine's blood alcohol level was at .59 percent three hours after the incident.

In addition to being charged with attempted murder, the suspect faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery.

The pretrial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today. A jury trial for the case is currently on the calendar for Jan. 23, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.

Vanalstine is currently in custody with no bail status. He is being represented by attorney Frank Bell.

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