GRAFTON THOMAS FOUND INCAPACITATED AGAIN FOR 2019 HANUKKAH STABBINGS IN RAMAPO

NEW CITY, N.Y. – District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announces that Grafton Thomas, 43, of Orange County, New York, has been declared incapacitated after another order of retention was signed by the Honorable Kevin F. Russo in Rockland County Court, January 13, 2026.

The Office of Mental Health filed an application earlier this month seeking an order for the continued retention of Thomas, based on findings that, due to mental disease, Thomas lacks the capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist in his own defense.

The defendant was previously charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree and six counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for stabbing people with a machete during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York, December 28, 2019.

Since 2020, the defendant has been adjudicated as an incapacitated person. The court’s order is for a period of two years and may be renewed upon expiration. The matter has been adjourned until January 2028.

Thomas is currently confined at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, New York. Under the court’s order, he will remain in custody of the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health for care and treatment in an appropriate facility operated by the Office of Mental Health, as designated by Commissioner.

“We remain committed to seeking justice for the victims and to the safety of our community,” said District Attorney Walsh. “While the defendant has been found incompetent to stand trial, we will continue to work through the court process to pursue all appropriate legal action.”

The investigation was conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino.

*It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.