Man who attacked lawmaker sentenced to prison

HARTFORD, CT – The man who attacked a state lawmaker after a church service last June was sentenced Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court to five years in prison.

Audrey Desmond, who attacked state Rep. Maryam Khan after a prayer service last summer following the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, will also have to serve 16 years of parole once released.

Desmond pleaded guilty in April to attempted third-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor and strangulation.

Additionally, Desmond will be registered as a sex offender for life and will receive court-mandated mental health treatment.

Khan, a Windsor Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday that she will be transformed by the attack but is happy to see justice.

“What happened to me a little over a year ago was tragic and will leave a mark on my life and the lives of everyone involved,” Rep. Khan said. “But I’m proud to see some semblance of justice today.”

Still, she said parts of her ordeal raised red flags.

“It is important to note that what happened that day is far more common than we would like to admit,” his statement continued. “My attack exposed serious gaps in our mental health care system and the safety and protection of victims, and inspired me, as a state representative, to take action to reform our society and prevent what happened to me from happening to anyone else.

During this year's legislative session, Khan proposed legislation that would have made it easier to charge hate crimes and made it easier for people who witness incidents like his to step in and help.

This bill failed to make it out of committee during the short session that ended May 8.

Khan thanked his friends and family for their support, as well as his legislative colleagues and his attorney, Aaron Romano.

Khan was saved from Desmond by former US Army Sgt. Jason Spencer, who was later charged with assault for using excessive force while restraining Desmond. He was caught on video kicking Desmond in the head, and according to Connecticut statutes, kicks to the head are considered a use of deadly force.

Spencer was sentenced to one day or accelerated rehabilitation in May.