CHINATOWN — The man accused of attacking his wife with a meat cleaver on Canal Street Sunday hit her in the head with such force half her skull had to be removed during surgery, according to court papers.
Ming Guang Huang, 28, was arraigned on assault and attempted murder charges from Bellevue Hospital on Wednesday, where he has been held for psychiatric evaluation since the attack.
"[His wife] sustained multiple lacerations to the head, two of which went into the skull, hitting the brain, and required removing half of the victim's skull in order to stabilize the injury," the court documents read.
The attack happened about 10:20 a.m. Sunday at 76 Canal St., across the street from the FDNY's Engine Company 9 and Ladder Company 6 firehouse.
Firefighters Jose Ortiz and James Traino were preparing for their shift when they heard the wife screaming.
That's when they say they spotted Huang dragging his wife across the street.
"All of a sudden, I hear the cleaver go up, and he swings down," Ortiz told reporters, the AP reported. "He hit her in the head. ... Now I'm thinking, 'I've got to grab this guy.'"
They then ran over and tackled Huang.
A third firefighter ran after the wife to treat her wounds.
The woman's current condition was not immediately clear.
Huang's next court date is Friday.
