Knife-Attack Suspect Steps Into Train’s Path

A man who faced attempted murder charges for allegedly slashing his wife’s throat stepped into the path of a Metrolink train in Anaheim on Tuesday morning and was killed, raising questions about why he was released from jail.

Yorba Linda resident Johnny Humbert, 49, was freed last month after a judge reduced his bail from $250,000 to $10,000. Prosecutors had fought the reduction, arguing that Humbert posed a danger to himself and others, said deputy Dist. Atty. Randy Payne.

“I said I was afraid he was going to hurt his wife, someone else in the public or himself,” Payne said. “It’s a difficult call. But when someone is charged with attempted murder, they’re usually sitting in a cell somewhere.”

Humbert’s preliminary hearing was scheduled Thursday at North Justice Center in Fullerton. Prosecutors say Humbert’s wife of 26 years, Christine Humbert, 50, was able to fend off his attack, but not before suffering a 6-inch gash on her neck and wounds to her hands. When police arrived at the second-floor bedroom, they found Humbert covered in blood and blood gushing from his wife’s neck, Payne said.

On Monday, Humbert, a painter for two decades at the Fullerton Union High School District, called in sick to work, Payne said. His brother-in-law, with whom Humbert was staying in Yorba Linda, called police early Tuesday to say he had not seen Humbert since 5 a.m. the day before.

At around 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Humbert walked out of some bushes beside the railway, according to police. He waited for the eastbound train and stepped into its path, Anaheim Sgt. Joe Vargas said. Humbert was struck by the train about 30 to 40 yards west of the Kellogg Drive and Orangethorpe Avenue intersection, Vargas said.

The train, headed east toward Riverside and Corona, was stalled in Anaheim for three hours after the death. Passengers were taken away in buses, Vargas said.

Humbert had been released from custody in May after a bail reduction ordered by Superior Court Judge Martin Hairabedian Jr. While in custody, Humbert was placed under suicide watch, according to court records. The judge could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

At the bail hearing, several family members, in-laws and others spoke on Humbert’s behalf, urging the judge to reduce his bail to a level he could afford.

Payne said that some of the victim’s relatives also urged the district attorney’s office to drop all charges.

“His employer spoke up for him. So did his family,” Payne said. “But it was mostly his wife’s family. They took up the first two rows in the courtroom that day.”

Payne, however, argued that the bail should remain at $250,000.

The judge issued a protective order barring Humbert from contacting his wife and then reduced the bail to $10,000, according to court records. Humbert’s family posted bail, documents show.

The case left prosecutors and neighbors trying to understand the actions of a man who until recently maintained a seemingly stable life.

“He kept the same job for 20 years and performed it well. He had a house, and it was well-maintained,” Payne said. “At least in jail he would have been safe.”

A longtime neighbor on Serrente Plaza in Yorba Linda said Humbert “was so helpful all the time.”

“He would do anything for anyone on the street,” said the neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous. “He was a real sweetheart, a very lovely neighbor.”

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Times Staff Writers Scott Martelle and Willoughby Mariano contributed to this story.