Crime & Safety
Man Charged With Attacking Father With Samurai Sword to Stand Trial
John Cahan, 39, of Spring Valley allegedly attacked his father with a sword over the Christmas holiday.
The Spring Valley man accused of attacking his father with a samurai sword over the Christmas holiday must stand trial for the attack, a judge ruled on Tuesday during a preliminary hearing.
On Dec. 26, John Cahan, 39, armed with a samurai sword, stormed angrily into his father's bedroom in their shared home on Terraspiro Ave. at 3 a.m. He woke him, and reportedly demanded that the elder man hold out one of his arms so that he could cut it off.
Cahan allegedly swung the sword several times before bringing it down on his Allen Cahan's leg, causing a large cut that required stitches and surgery to repair.
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The son left the room but returned to try and stop the bleeding. He called 911 about 90 minutes later, and claimed that the 69-year-old father had injured himself while sleepwalking.
Allen Cahan testified during the preliminary hearing that his son accused him of cooking SpaghettiO's, sparking the attack, SignOnSanDiego reported.
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The younger Cahan is charged with assault, elder abuse causing injury and first-degree burglary. He faces 12 years in state prison if convicted. Judge Patricia Cookson said that the trial will begin on March 28 in El Cajon.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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