NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Prosecutors reportedly dropped a hate crime charge against the man accused of slashing a woman with a boxcutter in an unprovoked attack in Times Square this week.
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Anthony Evans, 30, had faced a charge of assault as a hate crime following his arrest Tuesday in Sunday morning’s brazen slashing.
However, court records showed Wednesday that prosecutors dropped the hate crime charge, the Daily News reported.
Evans is now charged with assault and attempted assault.
During his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday night, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said they’re still investigating whether anti-Asian sentiment played a role in the assault.
The victim, a 59-year-old woman, said she believes she may have been targeted because she is Asian.
Surveillance video captured the moment a man believed to be Evans stormed down a sidewalk at Seventh Avenue and W. 42nd Street around 10 a.m. Sunday and slashed the victim from behind as she returned from grocery shopping.
The slashing left a deep gash on the victim's hand and wrist. She said there was “a lot of bleeding” and that she’s now afraid to leave home.
Evans, who reportedly has more than 30 prior arrests, was ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam and held without bail.
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