Sharpton Knifing Suspect Indicted
A white man who allegedly plunged a steak knife into the chest of the Rev. Al Sharpton was indicted Wednesday on charges that he tried to kill the black activist for racial reasons, authorities said.
Sharpton, 36, is recovering at Coney Island Hospital and is expected to be released soon.
The indictment charged Michael Riccardi with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated harassment and discrimination, Patrick Clark, spokesman for Brooklyn Dist. Atty. Charles J. Hynes, said.
Sharpton was stabbed Saturday as he prepared to lead a protest march through Bensonhurst, a mostly white neighborhood in south Brooklyn.
The demonstration was organized to protest sentences given to two white men convicted of taking part in the killing of a black teen-ager in Bensonhurst in August, 1989.
Riccardi, 27, being held without bail, is to be arraigned Friday. He faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder.
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