Two people who cut off the hand of a homeless man in a sword attack in Riverside are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to mayhem, Riverside County Superior Court records show.
Stephen Daniel Dillard, 39, was jailed without the possibility of bail after pleading guilty on Sept. 13 to one count of mayhem and admitting sentencing enhancements that included using a weapon while committing a felony and committing a crime of great violence or callousness.
Antiyerre Tyjuan Lottie, who is not in custody, pleaded guilty to one count of mayhem. Dillard sliced off one of the victim’s hands as Lottie held him, according to court documents.
Both are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24.
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The crime happened on May 13, 2023. Dillard had been in an ongoing dispute with the victim, whose first name is Jeffrey, a man in his 60s. Dillard and Lottie got into a physical altercation with Jeffrey, and Dillard sliced off one of Jeffrey’s hands, according to court documents.
Riverside police responded to the area near 5th Street and Fairmount Boulevard where the hand was found. Police arrested Dillard 10 days later. It was unclear when Lottie was arrested.
Jeffrey was treated at a hospital. The hand could not be reattached.
Jeffrey was known in the downtown area. Michelle Lopez, general manager at Cheba Hut, described Jeffrey as sweet, helpful, and polite and said he came into the shop regularly and helped with tasks in exchange for food.