The attorney representing a woman accused of stabbing a rabbi and another Jewish man in separate incidents in Midtown Manhattan argued on Sunday that her client’s arrest was due to mistaken identity.
Anna Mochalova, 32, is facing multiple charges for the attacks, which occurred on Wednesday. One incident involved her allegedly stalking and attacking a 26-year-old rabbi with a syringe, as noted in a complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office that categorized the acts as hate crimes.
According to prosecutors, Mochalova assaulted a man wearing a yarmulke just two blocks away just moments after the attack on the rabbi. She reportedly bumped into him several times, causing a painful sensation, and then threatened him by saying, “run away from here. I have a gun. I’m going to shoot you.”
In a twist, a third man avoided her aggression after he told her he was Muslim, as detailed by the authorities.
“The behavior displayed in these incidents is alarming and troubling, and the defendant faces serious charges because of it,” stated Assistant District Attorney Emily Hong during the court proceedings.
According to the prosecutor, Mochalova chose her victims because she believed them to be Jewish.
However, her lawyer, Lila Carpenter, contended that Mochalova has no previous arrests and is currently employed, suggesting that there might have been an identification mistake by the police regarding her client.
“These accusations are troubling, but whether they pertain to my client is another matter,” Carpenter told Judge Linda Capitti.
In light of the severity of the accusations and the available surveillance footage of the incidents, bail was set at $50,000.
Yitty, a 31-year-old coordinator with the Manhattan Shomrim, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, saying the Jewish community feels safer with Mochalova being held. “Having her back on the streets poses a risk to everyone. She needs help,” he remarked during a video call.
Mochalova is scheduled to appear in court again on October 29.
