Pregnant woman charged with 3 counts of attempted murder

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A pregnant woman accused of attempting to run over two women and hitting and seriously injuring a 14-year-old pleaded not guilty Thursday to multiple counts of attempted murder and assault.

Nia McKnight is being held on $300,000 bail after being charged with three counts each of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and a single count of felony vandalism.

McKnight, 26, said in court she’s about six weeks pregnant, which her lawyer, Mark Anthony Raimondo, said may have affected her emotional state. He said the incident involves a fight between family members and an attempt to get away.

Court Commissioner Ackerknecht said the information she reviewed states McKnight drove a vehicle onto someone’s yard and attempted to hit several people — striking the teen — before slamming into a house, damaging a wall.

Six juveniles were in the room where McKnight’s vehicle hit, Ackerknecht said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month.

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