MONSEY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — The suspect in a Monsey synagogue attack that left one man fighting for his life and injured several others has been indicted on a number of charges.
CBS2’s Tony Aiello reports a grand jury in Rockland County indicted 37-year-old Grafton Thomas on six counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault, three counts of attempted assault and two counts of burglary.
BREAKING: Rockland Co Grand Jury indicts Grafton Thomas on six counts attempted murder, three counts assault, three counts attempted assault, and two counts burglary for #Monsey machete attack at home of Rabbi Rottenberg
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) January 3, 2020
Thomas, of Greenwood Lake, New York, is accused of storming into a synagogue with a machete on Dec. 28 and attacking those inside.
NEW YORK SYNAGOGUE ATTACK: Family Of Comatose Victim Begs For An End To Hatred
One victim, 72-year-old Josef Neumann, remains in a coma and his family says the prognosis is dire.
Federal prosecutors allege the attacks were inspired by anti-Semitism.
“Mr. Thomas has been charged with a violent and heinous crime,” Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh said Friday. “Fear has spread through our community and we must restore peace.”
Watch: Officials Announce 6 Attempted Murder Charges Against Synagogue Attacker Grafton Thomas —
Thomas’ attorney, Michael Sussman, argues his client struggles with mental illness.
“There are very serious issues about my client’s mental capabilities, competency,” he said Friday.
Thomas was being held in the Rockland County Jail but has now been moved to a federal facility. His bail is $5 million.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison if convicted.
Defense team argues it should be allowed to complete its review of material before turning over copies of everything as required by evidentiary rules. Defense says FBI knew about cabin, did not obtain search warrant. https://t.co/eoS5CDGbP9
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) January 3, 2020
Meanwhile, Sussman announced he is fighting a federal subpoena demanding all the material the defense team took from Thomas’ cabin in Sullivan County. The defense team argues it should be allowed to complete its review of the material before turning over copies of everything as required by evidentiary rules.
The defense also says the FBI knew about Thomas’ cabin and did not obtain a search warrant.
