The state representative for Muslims in Connecticut was attacked by a guy who was given a five-year jail sentence on Tuesday for attempted sexual assault and other offenses. The legislator had previously expressed disapproval of the defendant’s sentencing, saying it was too light.
The attack on Representative Maryam Khan, the first Muslim to hold a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives, in June 2023 resulted in Andrey Desmond, 31, receiving a sentence in Hartford Superior Court.
In April, Desmond entered a guilty plea to three felonies: attempted third-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree strangling, and risk of injury to a minor.
Desmond has to complete his parole term, register as a sexual offender, and get mental health care after his jail sentence.
John Stawicki, Desmond’s public lawyer, stated in court that Desmond had battled mental illness, including schizophrenia, and that he regretted his conduct. “Events that happened were out of my control,” stated Desmond. I was totally lacking in self-control.
The attack, according to a statement from Khan, a Democrat representing the Hartford suburb of Windsor, “highlighted serious gaps in our mental health care system and victim safety and protection.”
“What happened to me just over a year ago was tragic and will leave a mark on my life and all of those involved,” Khan stated. “But I am proud to see some semblance of justice today. It is important to note that what occurred that day is far more common than we would care to admit.”
Desmond, who was residing in New Britain, has a history of mental illness, according to court records. He was determined to be competent to stand trial following a court-mandated evaluation.
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Khan had demanded charges for hate crimes. Following her family’s attendance at a service held at Hartford’s XL Center arena to commemorate Eid al-Adha, the conclusion of Muslims’ yearly Hajj journey to Mecca, she was attacked.
Desmond reportedly approached her and her family—including her 15-year-old daughter—while they were taking pictures outside the arena and that he “intended to have sexual relations” with one of them.
After that, Desmond trailed after them inside. According to Khan, he began chasing after her specifically, pulling at her shirt and face and insisting on kissing.
She claimed that after she “dodged him,” he followed her back outside and attempted to touch her face once more. He slapped her across the face, she claimed, and then put her in a “chokehold,” pretending to have a pistol with his hand before slamming her to the ground.
Khan said that she hurt her right arm and shoulder and received a concussion diagnosis.
