Erika Menendez Arrests Show Troubled History
Erika Menendez's arrest record is rather lengthy and the suspect in the subway death of Sunando Sen has a history refusing to take her medication. The information will surely help prosecutors as they head to court in the matter of Sen's death, which has been labeled a hate crime.
"The defendant is accused of committing what is every subway commuter's worst nightmare," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown told CBS New York.
Menendez allegedly pushed Sen in front of an oncoming 7 train last week before running away from the platform. When police found Menendez, she reportedly told them, "I pushed a Muslim off the train tracks because I hate Hindus and Muslims. Ever since 2001 when they put down the Twin Towers I've been beating them up," CBS reported.
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Then later, Menendez said, "There is no reason. I just pushed him in front of the train because I thought it would be cool," the Queens District Attorney's office reported.
Menendez has a record of arrests stemming from 2003 when she was arrested for punching a 28-year-old man in the face inside her home. The case was dropped, but later that year, she was charged and pleaded guilty to assaulting a stranger on the street.
"I really believe if she had a knife, she would have killed me," the victim, retired Fire Department Chief Daniel Conslick, said. He later took out two restraining orders against Menendez, but never saw her again after the attack.
Her family called police at least five times to report that Menendez was not taking her medication as prescribed, though it was unknown just what medication she has been prescribed. Police have ordered a psychiatric evaluation in the Menendez case since it is possible she has an mental illness or will require special needs in the case.
Menendez's family was shocked by her actions but has not spoken to the press. A former neighbor, though, told the press, "It surprised me what she did. She never acted that way."
