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Suspect in attack on Muslim State Rep. appears in Hartford court

Andrey Desmond, 30, of New Britain, faces six felonies after Rep. Maryam Khan was attacked outside Hartford's XL Center.

A hearing was held on Thursday following the attack of a Connecticut State Representative earlier this year. 

The lawyer representing the suspect, Andre Desmond, 30, of New Britain, has asked the judge to order an evaluation for mental competency to see if he is fit to stand trial. 

In a press conference,  State Rep. Maryam Khan's lawyer said the suspect would "perhaps" plead not guilty by reason of insanity. 

The attack occurred on June 28 after a Muslim prayer service for Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims worldwide for three to four days.

"I will say our mental health system is very broken,” said Khan. "I would hope that others are not harmed further by his actions." 

Khan said this has encouraged her to take a look at the mental health system in Connecticut to make sure others aren't in danger. 

 At the time of the attack, Khan was with her sister, a female friend and her three children when they were approached by a man who made vulgar and obscene remarks. The suspect also tried to prevent her from leaving and assaulted Khan. The suspect then fled on foot and was chased by bystanders, police said.

When police arrived, they found the suspect being detained by bystanders at the intersection of Trumbull Street and Chapel Street North.

In the days after the attack, Khan said “My body went numb and I thought I was going to die,” Khan said, recalling the assault. “He slammed my body into the ground, threw me. I felt nothing, but I shot up and I ran for my life.”

She called the attack much more violent and shocking than how it was described in a police report.

Khan said she was later diagnosed with a concussion and is now awaiting an MRI after losing feeling in her right arm and shoulder. She recalled having to convince emergency responders at the scene she was physically injured and emotionally traumatized.

Khan, a Democrat who represents the 5th District of Windsor and Hartford, became the first Muslim member of the Connecticut House when she won a special election for the seat in March 2022.

Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.

 

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