Man arrested for attempted murder with piano wire

By Tamara Barak

May 7, 2007

A man is in jail in San Francisco this morning on attempted murder and narcotics charges after he allegedly strangled a woman with a piano wire until she lost consciousness.

A witness called police shortly after 1 p.m. after seeing a man punching a woman in the 1300 block of Minna Street in the Mission District, police said.

The man then pulled a length of piano wire out of his jacket pocket and began strangling the woman, San Francisco police Sgt. Steve Mannina said.

The witness began yelling at the man, causing him to run off, Mannina said.

The suspect, 47-year-old Jose Saez, was arrested a few minutes later on the corner of 15th and Capp streets, Mannina said. Saez allegedly was in possession of drugs.

The victim, 33, was found unconscious on the street. She was taken to San Francisco General Hospital and is expected to recover, Mannina said. Saez remains in custody and has been denied bail.

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