Woman charged in NYC subway death ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation
By NBC News staff and wire services
Updated, 10:42 a.m. Sunday -- NEW YORK — A 31-year-old Bronx woman charged with pushing an immigrant to his death from a New York City subway platform has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Erika Menendez was arraigned Saturday night on a charge of murder as a hate crime, the Associated Press reported. Judge Gia Morris ordered that she be held without bail and be given a mental health exam, it said
Menendez is charged in the death of Sunando Sen, who was crushed by a train in Queens on Thursday night
Menendez, who was seen muttering to herself before shoving a man onto subway tracks in front of a speeding train, said she did so because, "I hate Hindus and Muslims," prosecutors said on Saturday.
Menendez admitted to investigators that she pushed Sunando Sen, a 46-year-old Queens resident, on Thursday because of her hatred of Hindus and Muslims, a feeling that stems from Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Sen was born in India and ran a printing shop. He died Thursday night after being knocked onto the tracks. Police released security camera video showing a woman running from the station.
Police said that Menendez was recognized on the street in Brooklyn by a passer-by who called 911. Patrol officers found and arrested her.
In a statement, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said that while in custody Menendez made incriminating statements, saying that she "pushed a Muslim" onto the tracks.