HV Man Accused In Machete-Wielding Hanukkah Attack Continues Confined

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — After a hearing Jan. 17, the Orange County man accused of invading a Rockland rabbi's home in 2019 during a Hannukkah celebration and attacking the participants with a machete was again ruled incompetent to stand trial in Ramapo on murder and attempted murder charges.

About 100 people were at the home of Rabbi Chaim Liebowitz Rottenberg Dec. 28 when a man entered, slashed four people, then fled. A fifth person was injured in the melee. One of the celebrants took down the license plate of the van the attacker left in and reported it to police, who picked up the van's track on a traffic cam shortly afterward.

The driver and alleged attacker, Grafton Thomas of Greenwood Lake, was arrested that night in New York City. Thomas reportedly declared to dozens of assembled congregants, "no one is leaving," and attacked the group with an 18-inch machete. At least five victims were hospitalized with serious injuries.

He initially faced local attempted murder charges and federal hate-crime charges; a murder charge was added after Josef Neumann, 72, died. Neumann, a great-grandfather, who was cut in the neck and sustained other injuries including a fractured skull and shattered arm, remained in a coma until his death in March 2020.

Thomas has consistently been found incompetent to stand trial since then, as federal and local judges have found he lacks the capacity to understand the proceedings against him and aid in his own defense. He has been confined at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton.

After the hearing Wednesday, Judge Kevin Russo ordered him retained in the custody of the New York State Commissioner of Mental Health.

"The Rockland County District Attorney's Office is committed to getting justice on behalf of Josef Nuemnann, and the others injured during this horrific attack. When the defendant is ruled competent, the Office will proceed with prosecution," Scott Waters, Public Information Officer for the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, told Patch.

SEE ALSO:

• More Federal Charges For Man Accused In Hanukkah Machete Attack
• $5 Million Bail For Man Accused In Hanukkah Stabbings
• Family: Hanukkah Stabbing Suspect Had Mental Illness History
• Rockland Attack Latest In Region's Series of Hate Crimes
• No Signs Of Anti-Semitism In Thomas's Wurtsboro Cabin: Attorney