In a highly publicized case, a homeless man, Garret Doty, was found not guilty on all charges after brutally attacking former San Francisco fire commissioner Donald Carmignani. Doty, who was accused of repeatedly beating Carmignani over the head with a metal pipe on April 5, faced charges of assault and battery. Doty's defense argued that he acted out of fear for his life and fought back to protect himself.

The San Francisco Public Defender's Office released a statement claiming that Carmignani's attorneys only shared select video footage from the incident, leaving out the beginning of the altercation. Doty's defense claimed that Carmignani had instigated the confrontation by spraying Doty with bear spray and threatening to stab and kill him if he did not move his belongings. The defense further argued that Carmignani sprayed Doty with bear spray and baited him into the violent altercation.

Carmignani previously expressed concern about a group of homeless individuals who had set up an encampment near his mother's front door in the Marina District. He claimed that his mother was afraid to leave her house due to their presence. Doty's defense claimed that Carmignani's actions and threats led Doty to arm himself with a metal rod found in a garbage bin.

Footage released by Carmignani showed Doty marching towards him with the metal rod and repeatedly hitting him. As a result of the attack, Carmignani suffered 51 stitches, a fractured skull, and a broken jaw. Doty's defense attorney, Kleigh Hathaway, argued that it was clear Doty was acting in self-defense against Carmignani, who she described as unwilling to back down from a fight that he had started.

The outcome of the trial sparked controversy and debate. John Dennis, the Chairman of the San Francisco GOP, criticized the city's Democratic policies, claiming they put residents under constant threat from homeless individuals. He expressed disappointment that the violent act against Carmignani would go unpunished and suggested that similar attacks would happen again.

Doty's defense also revealed that Carmignani had used pepper spray against homeless people in the area on eight separate occasions. During the preliminary hearing, Carmignani invoked the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination whenever questioned about his prior use of pepper or bear spray.

The case gained national attention as a symbol of San Francisco's crime and homelessness problems. However, the defense's investigation uncovered a different narrative. Witnesses testified that Carmignani had threatened to kill Doty if he did not move his tent from the sidewalk before spraying him with bear spray. The defense argued that Doty, who had recently moved to San Francisco and was living in a tent, responded in self-defense.

The case raised questions about San Francisco's homelessness problem and the safety of its residents. Doty's defense attorney, Kleigh Hathaway, emphasized that the fear response is heightened for unhoused people like Doty, who live in constant exposure. The trial's outcome highlighted the need for policy changes to better protect the interests of San Francisco residents.

San Francisco's homelessness problem has been a topic of scrutiny, particularly during the pandemic. While the homeless population has remained relatively stable since 2017, incidents of violence against them have increased. The Marina district has also experienced violent attacks against homeless individuals. These incidents shed light on the harsh reality that homeless individuals face on the streets of California cities.

The San Francisco Police Department has opened an investigation into Carmignani in connection with the prior bear spray attacks. The case has sparked conversations about the need for comprehensive solutions to address homelessness and ensure the safety of all residents.