Man who used box cutter to attack South San Francisco hotel clerk found guilty of premeditated attempted murder

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – A 24-year-old Salinas man faces life in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder with premeditation in connection with a brutal attack on a South San Francisco hotel desk clerk in late 2020, prosecutors said.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, a jury on Wednesday convicted Robert Allen Midell Jr. of one felony count each of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, torture and assault on a peace officer, as well as two felony counts of assault on a custodial officer, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

South San Francisco police were called to Hotel V in the 200 block of South Airport Boulevard around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2020, for a report of a person beating up a desk clerk.

Prosecutors said an officer arrived to find Midell on top of the clerk and attacking him.

The officer tried to pull Midell off the clerk, but Midell continued to attack the clerk even after the officer hit him with a baton and shocked him with a stun gun, according to the district attorney's office. Midell released the clerk after the officer used pepper spray on him.

The clerk suffered injuries to the face, as well as numerous puncture and bite wounds to the chest and an arm.

Prosecutors said Midell used a box cutter and pens to attack the clerk, who had evicted him earlier for not paying his bill.

A court trial on a prior felony strike conviction is set for Friday. Midell, who remains in custody on $500,000 bail, potentially faces life in prison, Wagstaffe said.

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