By Rachel D’Oro
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An attempted murder charge has been reduced to assault against a 29-year-old Alaska man with an infectious disease who is accused of spitting on a hospital nurse.
Andre LaFrance, who has hepatitis C, also is charged with harassment in the incident Monday at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center north of Anchorage.
According to an affidavit filed by state troopers, the Wasilla man was treated for a drug overdose the night before at the hospital emergency room.
The document says LaFrance was readmitted Monday morning for another drug overdose, but medics determined there was no overdose.
The affidavit says LaFrance claimed he was suicidal and would spit on the staff if placed in restraints. It says he then followed through with the threat when he was restrained.
The public defender’s office says it hasn’t begun working on the case yet.