On Wednesday, a New York City judge mandated a mental health evaluation for Kerri Aherne, a 43-year-old woman from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who is facing serious charges related to an unprovoked stabbing incident that occurred in the flagship Macy's store in midtown Manhattan during the holiday season. The incident took place on December 11, when Aherne allegedly attacked a tourist who was changing her baby’s diaper in a bathroom.
Aherne has been charged with attempted murder, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other offenses. She entered a plea of not guilty during her arraignment in Manhattan court. The Manhattan District Attorney's office, headed by Alvin Bragg, has ordered a mental health assessment to determine Aherne's fitness to stand trial. This step underscores the significance of mental health in legal proceedings, particularly when the defendant's psychological state may play a critical role in the case.
The defense attorney, Kevin Sylvan, highlighted that Aherne’s mental state is the “only relevant issue right now.” Reports indicate that on the day of the attack, Aherne had just been released from a psychiatric hospital in New York and had a history of mental health issues, having previously been a patient at a mental health facility in Massachusetts.
According to prosecutors, Aherne purchased a knife from the Macy's store and subsequently proceeded to the seventh-floor bathroom, where she began to stab the victim, a California resident, who was engaged in changing her child's diaper. The victim was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the back, arm, and hand, but she bravely managed to grab the knife and throw it away. Assistance from the victim's partner and store security led to Aherne being restrained until the police arrived on the scene.
Fortunately, the victim's 10-month-old baby fell from the changing table during the chaos but was not harmed. In response to the attack, Macy's issued a statement expressing their sorrow about the incident and emphasized that the safety of families visiting Manhattan during the holiday season should be a priority.
Aherne is currently in custody, awaiting her next court appearance scheduled for February 11. The case has garnered significant attention, not only because of the brutal nature of the attack but also due to the implications regarding Aherne's mental health and its potential impact on her legal case.
