Man accused of stabbing cab driver makes first court appearance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man accused of stabbing a Charlotte cab driver needed help from other inmates to make his first court appearance on Monday.

Brian Chandler is facing numerous charges, including attempted first-degree murder.

He appeared in front a judge via video from the jail where two other inmates pushed Chandler in front of the camera. Chandler is in a wheelchair after last Friday's incident.

Police said Chandler called a cab early Friday morning to a motel on Carowinds Boulevard.

Gary Hinson was driving the cab, and police said at some point, Chandler pulled out a knife and attacked Hinson near the SouthPark area.

The attack left Hinson fighting for his life in the hospital after being stabbed in the neck, face and mouth.

His family said his condition improved over the weekend, but that he had a stroke Monday afternoon.

At the time of the attack, Chandler was out on bond with an electronic monitoring device. He was arrested in August on stalking charges and given a $163,000 bond.

But he was released after a judge reduced and then unsecured his bond in mid-September.

Members of the community group CharMeck Courtwatch said Chandler should have never had his bond reduced.

"To unsecure the highest ones that are keeping him incarcerated, to unsecure those all together -- it's a violation of public safety and public trust,” director Marcus Philemon said.

Chandler is due back in court on Oct. 10.

WSOC