Woman Sentenced to 4 Years for Stabbing Two Men in Ocean Beach

Jana Halaska pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon charges for the April 2025 incident near Hodad's restaurant.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:22am

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Jana Halaska, 30, was sentenced to 4 years in state prison for stabbing two men in Ocean Beach in April 2025. Halaska pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon for the incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. behind Hodad's restaurant on Newport Avenue. The two victims, who were strangers to Halaska, suffered punctured lungs in the attack.

Why it matters

The stabbing incident highlights ongoing public safety concerns in the Ocean Beach neighborhood, which has seen its share of violent crimes in recent years. The case also raises questions about how to address mental health issues that may contribute to acts of violence.

The details

According to prosecutors, just before the stabbings, one of the victims got into a physical altercation with a different woman, which culminated in that victim kicking the woman. Halaska then allegedly followed the victim to the Hodad's parking lot, swung a knife at him unprovoked, and stabbed him in the back after a male friend of Halaska's tackled the victim to the ground. The second victim, a friend of the first, then walked over to help and was also stabbed twice in the chest by Halaska. The stabbings were caught on surveillance footage, and Halaska was arrested about two weeks later.

  • The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on April 13, 2025.
  • Halaska was arrested about two weeks after the incident.

The players

Jana Halaska

A 30-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon for the April 2025 stabbing incident in Ocean Beach.

Savanah Howe

The Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case against Halaska.

Pedro Garcia

The Deputy Public Defender who represented Halaska.

Dwayne Moring

The Superior Court Judge who sentenced Halaska to 4 years in prison.

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What they’re saying

“In my warped state of mind that night, I thought I was defending myself and the woman. I wish I would have just called the police.”

— Jana Halaska

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jana Halaska out on bail during the appeals process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing mental health issues and violence in the Ocean Beach community, and the need for improved public safety measures and resources to support those struggling with trauma and mental health concerns.