The man accused of attacking five Orthodox Jews with a machete during a Hanukkah party had a history of mental health problems.
Thirty-seven-year-old Grafton Thomas' mother, Kim Thomas, a registered nurse, said she hoped to have her son committed after an incident last May that prompted her to call 911, but she couldn't get him help, according to the New York Post.
"Grafton was showing signs of typical schizophrenic and bipolar disorders, but they sent the police instead [of mental health experts] and he got no help," she explained.
Grafton once also worked as a Shabbos goy, his mother said.
"Grafton was born in a Jewish neighborhood in Crown Heights," Kim told the media. "Grafton grew up going into Orthodox Jews homes on Fridays to help them with Sabbath tasks."
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