By Leslie Albrecht and Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — The Columbia Business School student accused of a brutal attack on a 22-year-old woman steps from campus was arraigned Wednesday from Bellevue Hospital.
Ash Sinha, 28, was charged with third-degree assault for the alleged attack on the woman, and second-degree assault for allegedly kicking a police officer as he was being put into an ambulance after Saturday's incident. Sinha was transferred to Bellevue's psychiatric ward after allegedly smashing medical equipment at Harlem Hospital.
"In this incident, this defendant approached a stranger, threw her to the ground and viciously attacked her," Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Dondlinger said. "A large crowd had to pull the defendant off of her."
Sinha's defense lawyer, Susan Collins, said the incident "represents his first potential psychotic break." She said the student's family had told her that the alleged attacker had been displaying "unusual, erratic behavior" recently.
Collins said that Sinha's father, who she says has "diplomatic ties," flew in from India for the arraignment.
The defense lawyer said she's been talking to the DA's office about working out an early resolution and said they were open to the possibility of a plea deal that would not scar his record.
"He's a very bright kid who has a lot of family here supporting him," Collins said.
Sinha was ordered held on $25,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson. He has another scheduled appearance Thursday for grand jury action deadline.
Witnesses to the attack said Sinha was babbling during the attack about President Barack Obama and the Iraq War.
Sinha, who lives on West 109th Street near Broadway, allegedly jumped on top of the victim at West 116th Street and Broadway at about 11:40 p.m. Saturday night, slammed her head into the sidewalk, punched her in the face, and possibly bit her, police said.
The victim, who has not been identified, suffered swelling to her face and cuts to her knees, police said.
David Mack, a videographer and Columbia contractor, said he was working late on campus Saturday night when he heard a "blood-curdling scream" about 11:30 p.m. that he first assumed was a joke.
In initial reports police said the attack happened during a large fight of about 20 people. However, when Mack arrived at the scene, he said he saw a crowd of people trying to pull Sinha off of the woman.
Mack said Sinha appeared disturbed and called him "white devil" and claimed that Obama "was Hitler for bombing the Middle East."
"He just had a look of hate and rage," Mack said. "He seemed like he had snapped."
The assault happened just outside the entrance to Columbia's "College Walk," where two security stations keep watch over one of the main entrances to Columbia's campus.
Four Columbia University security guards reportedly wrestled Sinha to the ground, then held him until police arrived.
A university spokesman declined to comment on the assault.
