The family of Josef Neumann, one of the five victims of the Hanukkah stabbing attack in Monsey, New York, revealed the severity of his injuries, stating he may never fully recover. The attack has also raised questions about why the suspect, Grafton Thomas, was previously released after a prior arrest.
According to a statement released by the Neumann family, the 70-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack, including three cuts to the head, one to the neck, a shattered right arm, and a knife wound that penetrated his skull directly into the brain. The family expressed little hope for his recovery, stating, “Doctors are not optimistic about his chances to regain consciousness, and if our father does miraculously recover partially, doctors expect that he will have permanent damage to the brain; leaving him partially paralyzed and speech impaired for the rest of his life.”
Grafton Thomas, 37, was held without bail after appearing in federal court, charged with five counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by attempting to kill with a dangerous weapon. The Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council in Hudson Valley shared a photo on Twitter showing Neumann’s injuries, depicting him with a respirator and a heavily sutured and bloodied head.
This is the visual state of Josef Neumann who has been stabbed at the Hanukkah celebration Saturday night in the Forshay area of #Monsey . (Press/media is authorized to publish/post this.) #MeJew pic.twitter.com/1e1acNG2O9
— OJPAC (@OJPAC) January 1, 2020
The family’s statement further detailed the severity of Neumann’s condition, noting that no surgery had yet been performed on his right arm due to his dire state. They also called on Jews around the world to share their experiences with anti-Semitism using the hashtag #MeJew.
STATEMENT BY THE FAMILY OF JOSEF NEUMANN with details about their beloved father following the #Monsey stabbing attack, and with a call to Jews around the world to share their experiences with anti-Semitism and adding the tag #MeJew . https://t.co/7B5p5qfNE4 pic.twitter.com/nr4y3lTLwO
— OJPAC (@OJPAC) January 1, 2020
The stabbings occurred during a surge of violent attacks targeting Jews in the New York area, prompting increased security measures around religious gatherings. A criminal complaint revealed that journals recovered from Thomas’ home contained disturbing content, including comments questioning why people mourned anti-Semitism and drawings of a Star of David and a swastika. His phone also contained internet searches related to Hitler’s hatred of Jews, nearby German Jewish Temples, and prominent companies founded by Jews.
Thomas had prior run-ins with law enforcement, including an arrest for assaulting a police horse. The judge who presided over a previous case where Thomas was arrested for menacing a police officer declined to comment, citing the sealed nature of the case.
Judge won’t say why he freed Monsey stabbing suspect last year https://t.co/qA1R0YY7hx pic.twitter.com/y1xMkQvKtv
— New York Post (@nypost) January 1, 2020
According to the New York Post, the case resulted in an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. The Orange County DA’s Office also declined to comment, citing the sealed aspect of the case.
Thomas’ court-appointed attorney stated that he has struggled with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Another attorney retained by his family said Thomas had been hearing voices and may have stopped taking psychiatric medications. He described notes found at Thomas’ home as “the ramblings of a disturbed individual” but found nothing to suggest an anti-Semitic motive.
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Thomas’ family stated that he was raised to embrace tolerance but has a history of mental illness, including multiple hospitalizations. They emphasized that he has no history of violent acts or convictions and no known history of anti-Semitism. They also stated that he is not a member of any hate groups.
The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed that Thomas began boot camp but was separated from the service a month later for “fraudulent enlistment,” declining to provide further details.
Grafton Thomas (Photo via New York Post)
According to the New York Post, Grafton Thomas was once accused of squatting in a Salt Lake City house where the owners suspected him of “drug activity” and “theft.” An eviction notice cited “suspisious [sic] drug activity” and “suspiscious [sic] of theft.”