Man accused of attacking OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home pleads not guilty to attempted murder
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Man accused throw a molotov cocktail At home in San Francisco OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and attempted arson charges on Tuesday.
Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama, wearing an orange prison uniform, did not speak as his lawyer entered his defense during his hearing in state court. The 20-year-old also faces federal charges.
Moreno-Gama, from Spring, Texas, threw the incendiary bomb Authorities allege that last month, Altman set fire to the front door of his home and fled on foot. Less than an hour later, he drove to OpenAI’s headquarters, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) away, and threatened to burn the building down.
Public defender Diamond Ward, who represented Moreno-Gama, said after the hearing that his client was experiencing a mental health crisis and was overly charged.
“Daniel is a kind, hard-working person who openly advocates for peaceful measures against the danger of artificial intelligence to humanity,” he said.
He attributed Moreno-Gama’s actions to “a mental health crisis and a desire to cause any harm” and suggested that prosecutors were trying to curry favor with Altman and ignored evidence of his client’s mental health issues.
During the hearing, Ward requested that Moreno-Gama be evaluated for mental health. The judge granted the request and scheduled another hearing later this month to discuss the results.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said last month that Moreno-Gama carried out a “targeted attack on Mr. Altman” and that prosecutors had evidence to substantiate the charges.
Moreno-Gama’s family said in a statement shortly after the attack that he had never harmed anyone and had recently begun experiencing mental health problems.
Authorities said Moreno-Gama, who worked part-time at a pizzeria and attended a community college, expressed hatred towards him. artificial intelligence In his writings, he describes it as a danger to humanity and warns of a “danger of extinction,” according to court filings.
Authorities did not say whether Altman was home at the time of the attack.
The state’s charges carry penalties ranging from 19 years to life in prison.
Federal prosecutors charged Moreno-Gama with possession of an unregistered firearm and damaging and destroying property with explosives. These charges carry maximum sentences of 10 years and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Moreno-Gama made his first appearance in federal court on Friday.
___
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Moreno-Gama’s last name.
