SAN DIEGO -- A parolee accused of carrying out a seemingly unprovoked stabbing attack on a couple in Hillcrest last Sunday pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony assault charges.

Jared Isaac Jacobson, 30, yelled out as his case was called and was ordered removed from the courtroom by Judge David Szumowski.

"My attorney is fired," Jacobson yelled before he was taken away. "I plead psychosomatic addict."

Deputy Public Defender Paul Rodriguez entered the denials on his client's behalf to the two felony charges, which include an allegation that the defendant used a knife.

The attorney told the judge that Jacobson also refused to sign a form indicating that he understood his constitutional rights.

Szumowski set bail at $500,000 and ordered that Jacobson be evaluated by the court's psychiatric unit. A status conference was scheduled for Friday.

Outside court, Deputy District Attorney Ana De Santiago said Jacobson was on parole for a 2004 or 2005 conviction for assaulting an officer.

Jacobson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted on the current charges, which include an allegation that both of the victims suffered great bodily injury, the prosecutor said.

The male victim is now out of the hospital but the female victim remains hospitalized, De Santiago said.

"It was a vicious attack, obviously," the prosecutor said. "Obviously, (Jacobson) has a history of violence."

The couple had just left a pharmacy in the 300 block of Washington Street about noon when Jacobson allegedly attacked them with a steak knife, then walked off. He sat on a nearby curb and smoked cigarettes until police arrived.

Witnesses reported seeing no altercation prior to the assaults, SDPD Lt. Jorge Duran said.