By Jon Schuppe
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Film student Michael Enright will still face hate-crime charges for allegedly stabbing a cabbie after asking if he was Muslim, a judge ruled Wednesday.
The judge upheld the charges by saying a grand jury had enough evidence to indict Enright for the Aug. 24 assault, the AP reported.
Enright, 22, allegedly asked cabdriver Ahmed Sharif whether he was Muslim and told him to "consider this a checkpoint" before slashing him in the neck.
His lawyer said he was drunk and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a trip to Afghanistan.
Enright has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, including attempted murder and assault. The hate-crime charges mean that he could face stiffer punishment if convicted.
Enright is due back in court March 30.
