The mother of the maniac accused of knifing a Jewish and Asian man in separate attacks on Upper West Side cried out in court Friday as new details were revealed about her son’s alleged hate-filled rampage.
Raul Morales, 51, looked back into the courtroom gallery and mouthed “I love you, mom” after a judge held him without bail for Thursday’s bloodshed during which he yelled ‘‘Allahu Akbar” three times, according to prosecutors.
His mom, who said “Raul, I’m here,” then buried her head in hands and wept as her son was ushered out of the courtroom.
Morales approached the first victim from behind near Central Park and “shouted Allah Akbar and plunged a knife into his back without any provocation,” Assistant District Attorney Megan Joy told the court.
The madman then allegedly walked to the nearby synagogue and “shouted justice for Islam and Allahu Akbar” before confronting the second victim four blocks away.
Morales allegedly “plunged a screwdriver” in the chest of the second victim, a Jewish man wearing a kippah, the ADA said.
The suspect then fled by foot to his apartment, where he was eventually arrested less than an hour later.
A knife and screwdriver were recovered following his arrest, police said.
The first victim was rushed to hospital with the knife still hanging from his back and it had to be surgically removed, prosecutors said.
Both victims remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Morales was arraigned on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault and one count of attempted assault — all of which are being tried as hate crimes.
The judge also ordered Morales to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
He is due back in court on July 30.
Read the full article here