Gov. Cuomo is renaming a proposed domestic terrorism law in honor of a 72-year-old man who died over the weekend from injuries related to a Hanukkah stabbing in Rockland County.
Cuomo, who wants the Legislature to pass the measure as part of the state budget this week, first pitched the bill in the wake of the gruesome machete attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey.
Josef Neumann, who had been on life support since the hate-filled holiday attack that left five people stabbed, died Sunday, according to a statement from the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council.
The legislation, now officially to be called the “Josef Neumann Hate Crimes Domestic Terrorism Act,” would classify certain hate crimes under the domestic terrorism law, which would carry a life sentence in prison without parole.
Grafton Thomas, a 37-year-old with a history of mental health issues, was charged with five counts of attempted murder and federal hate crimes following the attack.
The call comes a day after the governor said the law was one of the “sticking points” holding up budget negotiations.
“We owe it to Mr. Neumann, his family and the entire family of New York to get it done now,” Cuomo said.
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