NEW CITY, N.Y. – The man accused of carrying out a brutal machete attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey more than six years ago has once again been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial, according to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced that on January 13, Rockland County Court Judge Kevin F. Russo signed a new order of retention declaring 43-year-old Grafton Thomas of Orange County incapacitated. The ruling followed an application by the New York State Office of Mental Health, which found that Thomas continues to lack the capacity to understand the court proceedings or assist in his own defense due to mental illness.
Thomas was charged with one count of second-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder after authorities said he attacked a group of people with a machete during a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi’s home in Monsey on December 28, 2019. One victim later died from his injuries.
Thomas has been adjudicated as an incapacitated person since 2020 and remains confined at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton. Under the latest court order, he will continue to be held in the custody of the Office of Mental Health for an additional two years, until at least January 2028, when the court will again review his status.
“We remain committed to seeking justice for the victims and to the safety of our community,” said District Attorney Walsh. “While the defendant has been found incompetent to stand trial, we will continue to work through the court process to pursue all appropriate legal action.”
The original investigation was conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department, and the case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino.
The man accused of the 2019 Monsey Hanukkah stabbings remains confined after a judge again ruled he is mentally unfit to stand trial.