News
Man charged for beating tourist in head with hammer
Posted: Aug 1, 2012 3:32 AM by Kate Richards
NEW YORK (AP) - A man has been charged with hitting a Spanish tourist in the head with a hammer in a park next to New York's City Hall.
John Yoos is being held without bail after his arraignment Tuesday on attempted murder charges. He is due back in court on Friday.
Yoos said nothing as a prosecutor described what she called "a completely random act of brutal violence on a total stranger."
Authorities say Hugo Alejandre was eating lunch on a bench in City Hall Park on Monday when the 43-year-old Yoos abruptly attacked him. Bystanders intervened.
Alejandre was treated at a hospital for a spinal fracture and deep cuts.
Yoos' lawyer says the allegations more likely should reflect an assault charge, rather than an attempted murder charge.
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