Grafton Thomas, Accused of Fatal Attack in Monsey, May Transfer to NY Mental Facility

Two years after the attack on Chanukah, in Monsey, the man accused of the assault may come back to New York for confinement in a mental facility.

Josef Neumann, 72 died in the attack and five other men were injured.  

Grafton Thomas has consistently been found mentally unfit to stand trial and is being held in a Missouri mental-health facility, according to federal court documents. 

Thomas' lawyer has been advocating for him to be committed to a mental-health treatment facility near his family in Orange County.

"The Government has not yet received the writ, but intends to approve it upon receipt," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for New York's Southern District said in court papers.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh, noting the second anniversary of the Chanukah incident, recalled the viciousness of the attack. 

"My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Neumann and the injured parties," Walsh said. "This office continues to work diligently on this case in the prosecution phase. Rockland County will not stand for such heinous crimes committed against our fellow citizens."

Credit: Alamy