Michael Enright was arraigned this afternoon in Manhattan criminal court, but entered no plea for the three charges: attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the first degree as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
The judge ordered him held without bond. His next court date is Monday, Aug. 30.
According to a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney, Enright’s defense mentioned his volunteer work, his documentary work and his attendance at the School of Visual Arts.
That would appear to confirm that Enright is the same Enright who volunteers for Intersections International, a group whose mission is to promote peace and understanding between religions and cultures.
Enright was arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly slashing a cab driver with a knife after asking if the driver was Muslim.
From the criminal complaint, as stated by Police Officer Elisa Toro:
Deponent states that deponent is informed by an individual known to the District Attorney’s Office, that informant is a taxi cab driver and defendant hailed informant’s taxi at 24th Street and 2nd Avenue. Deponent further states that during said trip defendant asked informant if informant was Muslim and when informant stated yes, defendant responded ASALAM ALAKUM. CONSIDER THIS A CHECKPOINT and then slashed the informant’s throat and then stabbed and slashed the informant in the face, arms, and hands. Deponent further states that informant suffered slash and stab wounds about the throat, arms, hand, and lip requiring treatment at the hospital and substantial pain.
