The suspect in the Dec. 28 machete attack at a home and prayer hall known as Rabbi Rottenberg’s Shul in Monsey, N.Y., slashing and injuring five people, has been indicted by a grand jury on six attempted murder charges, as the number of victims in the hate crime increased to six.
The charges in Rockland County, N.Y., announced on Friday, against Grafton Thomas, 37, included six counts of attempted murder in the second degree, three counts of assault in the first degree, three counts of attempted assault in the first degree and two counts of burglary in the first degree.
District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced the charges.
“Thomas violently attacked numerous individuals inside the home, slashing at least six individuals, with the intent to cause their deaths,” he said. Initial reports said there were five injured in the attack, though there were no details on what injuries the newly added victim suffered.
If convicted, Thomas could face up to 25 years in prison.
On Dec. 30, Thomas was charged with five counts of obstructing the free exercise of religion in an attempt to kill, a federal hate crime. If convicted on these charges, Thomas could spend the rest of his life in prison.
