Officials file more charges, but not hate crimes, against man accused of attacking Muslim lawmaker

By DAVE COLLINS
Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A prosecutor has added felony charges, including sexual assault, against a man accused of attacking Connecticut’s first Muslim state representative after a prayer service. But authorities did not file hate crime allegations Monday against Andrey Desmond as demanded by supporters of Rep. Maryam Khan. Desmond appeared for a hearing in Hartford Superior Court in the June 28 attack on Khan outside a Hartford arena.  Desmond was initially charged with misdemeanors, including third-degree assault and unlawful restraint. Felony charges added Monday include third-degree sexual assault, second-degree assault, strangulation and risk of injury to children. The Hartford state’s attorney and Desmond’s public defender did not return messages seeking comment.