State Missouri v. Craig Farrell

Defendant was convicted of assault in the first degree, a violation of Section 565.050, RSMo. 1978 and sentenced to a term of ten years imprisonment. He appeals. We affirm. On January 21, 1983, defendant, his brother, Darrell Farrell, and Andre Fowler were waiting for a Bi-State bus on Page Avenue in the City of St. Louis. As a bus driven by James Nathan approached the trio, one of them stepped out into the street in front of the bus. The bus stopped and after the three boarded, the driver told one of them that it was dangerous to do that because the brakes could fail. Defendant responded by cursing the driver and stating he could stand where he wanted. The driver did not see defendant deposit his fare and followed defendant to the rear of the bus where he stated he would have to call the police. Defendant told him to go ahead and stated if ""you don't go on and drive the bus this is what's going to be for you."" At that point, defendant revealed a knife in his hand. The driver returned to the front of the bus and continued driving. The driver and the three men engaged in a continuing argument. Near Vandeventer and Finney, the three came up to the front of the bus and the argument continued. The driver headed towards the Fox theatre where he knew police would be on duty. At the intersection of Enright and Delmar, the driver stopped the bus at a red light. At that point, Andre Farrell struck the driver with his fist and defendant stabbed him with the knife in the face and neck several times. All three then left the bus.