Last year, Columbia business school student Ash Sinha suffered a psychotic break and punched, kicked and bit a young woman who was walking at Broadway and 116th Street. Sinha also kicked a police officer in the face during the incident. Now, prosecutors have given him a no-jail, no-probation plea deal.
When Sinha, whose father has diplomatic ties, was taken into custody after the attack, he was treated at Bellevue's psychiatric ward and his lawyer characterized the episode as his "first psychotic break." According to the Post, Sinha pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor assault (a change from his not guilty plea last year): He "will stay in school, in therapy and out of jail under a deal worked out with prosecutors." His lawyer said, "Everyone realized there was nothing intentional, because he had no real control over it at that time. Now that he is aware, he is receiving treatment."
Additionally, the Post reports, "Sinha will return to his native India when his student visa expires upon his graduation in May."
