AIDS Patient to Stand Trial in Biting of Nurses

A man with AIDS who bit two nurses was ordered to stand trial Friday on charges of attempted murder and assault.

Steven Paul Prior, 32, allegedly bit the nurses on July 17 at Villa View Community Hospital in San Diego. The district attorney’s decision to charge him with attempted murder created a controversy; critics said little medical evidence exists that AIDS can be transmitted by biting.

Municipal Judge Harvey Hiber ruled Friday that Prior’s “state of mind was such that there was reasonable cause to believe that he formed an intent to take with him anyone who stood in his way of getting out of the hospital . . . or doing anything he wanted to,” Hiber said.

Prior was admitted to the hospital’s medical intensive care unit on July 16 after attempting suicide by swallowing an overdose of AZT, a drug used by AIDS patients to slow the progress of the disease. He became violent several hours later. About 3:30 a.m. on July 17, Prior allegedly bit Donald Weber, a nurse, on the right hand after he attempted to escape from the hospital. After being transferred he allegedly bit another nurse, Michael Mangoian, three times on the hand and arm.

Prior’s arraignment in San Diego County Superior Court was set for Aug. 16.