AhlulBayt News Agency: Andrey Desmond, the individual who admitted to the assault of Representative Maryam Khan, received a five-year prison sentence on Tuesday in Hartford.
The sentence includes 15 years of special parole and a permanent protection order.
Representative Khan expressed relief at the conclusion of the case, stating, "I'm glad that this has come to a close, I look forward to putting this behind me and moving forward."
The judge acknowledged the severity of the incident, remarking, "No one can read the statement that was prepared by the representative without appreciating and almost feeling how terrifying this event must have been," NBC News reported on Tuesday.
Desmond's guilty plea earlier this spring included charges of attempted sexual assault, strangulation, and risk of injury to a minor. His attorney highlighted Desmond's remorse and his struggle with schizophrenia, which they claimed contributed to his lack of self-control during the incident.
"I just wanted to say that the events that happened were out of my control. I didn't have any self-control," Desmond claimed in the court.
In response to the sentencing, Khan's attorney requested that Desmond receive necessary community supervision and comply with any court-ordered medication treatment to ensure public safety.
Following the hearing, Representative Khan reflected on the broader implications of the case, pointing to deficiencies in the mental health system. "Unfortunately, this is a result of some of those lacks so I'm glad to be in a position to have the ability to be able to do some stuff about that," she said.
The assault took place on June 28, 2023, outside the XL Center in Hartford during the Eid al-Adha celebrations. Khan, the first Muslim member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives, was assaulted while taking a photo of her children.
The attack, which occurred in the presence of her children, involved Desmond making inappropriate comments, attempting to kiss Khan, and subsequently placing her in a chokehold before she was thrown to the ground.
Khan managed to flee to safety and later identified Desmond to the police.
/129
The sentence includes 15 years of special parole and a permanent protection order.
Representative Khan expressed relief at the conclusion of the case, stating, "I'm glad that this has come to a close, I look forward to putting this behind me and moving forward."
The judge acknowledged the severity of the incident, remarking, "No one can read the statement that was prepared by the representative without appreciating and almost feeling how terrifying this event must have been," NBC News reported on Tuesday.
Desmond's guilty plea earlier this spring included charges of attempted sexual assault, strangulation, and risk of injury to a minor. His attorney highlighted Desmond's remorse and his struggle with schizophrenia, which they claimed contributed to his lack of self-control during the incident.
"I just wanted to say that the events that happened were out of my control. I didn't have any self-control," Desmond claimed in the court.
In response to the sentencing, Khan's attorney requested that Desmond receive necessary community supervision and comply with any court-ordered medication treatment to ensure public safety.
Following the hearing, Representative Khan reflected on the broader implications of the case, pointing to deficiencies in the mental health system. "Unfortunately, this is a result of some of those lacks so I'm glad to be in a position to have the ability to be able to do some stuff about that," she said.
The assault took place on June 28, 2023, outside the XL Center in Hartford during the Eid al-Adha celebrations. Khan, the first Muslim member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives, was assaulted while taking a photo of her children.
The attack, which occurred in the presence of her children, involved Desmond making inappropriate comments, attempting to kiss Khan, and subsequently placing her in a chokehold before she was thrown to the ground.
Khan managed to flee to safety and later identified Desmond to the police.
/129