DSA In the News

SFO dustup leads lawyer to jail time

The former Los Angeles city attorney accused of attacking officers and fellow travelers with a metal dustpan pole at San Francisco International Airport on Christmas Eve was cleared for departure from the women’s jail after settling the case.
 
Angela Kay West, 50, was set to defend herself against four counts in trial yesterday but instead took a plea deal on misdemeanor charges of brandishing a deadly weapon and battery on a peace officer. She received a suspended four-year sentence and 49 days in the county jail. West, who has been in custody on $10,000 bail, received credit for the same amount.

West was arrested just before 8 a.m. Dec. 24 in the terminal three food court near Peet’s Coffee after allegedly pulling a 3-foot metal pole from a custodian’s dustpan and swinging it at responding officers. West also threw metal milk containers, flailed and kicked one officer in the groin.

She also shouted that she was a lesbian and that the officers could not have sex with her. After being arrested, West was taken to Mills Hospital for a mental hold. Several days later, she was booked into the county jail and charged with misdemeanor counts of assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a deadly weapon, battery on a peace officer and vandalism.

West is a graduate of Harvard Law School and previously served as a deputy city attorney for Los Angeles.

After her arrest, she declined a court-appointed attorney and asked to represent herself.