NEW YORK – The attorney for Grafton Thomas, the Greenwood Lake man accused in the machete attack in December that wounded five religious Jewish people, Monday filed a motion seeking a federal competency evaluation of his client.
In support of his motion, attorney Michael Sussman submitted a report concerning Thomas’ mental competency by Dr. Andrew Levin, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist.
“Dr. Levin concluded that Mr. Thomas was not now competent to stand trial,” said Sussman. The attorney said the federal court has provided the US Attorney’s Office two weeks to reply to the application he made for a competency evaluation.
Sussman also asked the federal court to file his motion, the supporting report and other related documents “under seal to maintain the privacy of personal health matters and to maximize the ability of all sides to a fair trial – should that occur.”
Thomas has been charged on the state and federal levels with the assaults and politicians at the highest levels, including New York Governor Cuomo, called the attacks a hate crime.