The man who attacked Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment will serve time in jail.
Kendrid Khalil Hamlin was sentenced to 27 months of incarceration. The 27-year-old asked to be given mental health and substance abuse treatment.
“I apologize to Angie Craig for putting my hands on her," he said in court on Nov. 16. "I apologize for the pain I've caused."
On the morning of Feb. 9, Hamlin had gained access to the lobby of Craig’s building and followed the Democrat into her elevator. Craig described his behavior in the lobby to police as erratic. She said that, once in the elevator, Hamlin told her he was coming to her apartment to use the bathroom. After she told him he could not come to her residence, Hamlin reportedly began “to randomly do push-ups” before punching her in the face, pushing her into a wall, and grabbing her neck. Craig threw her hot coffee in his face to defend herself.
Craig is currently serving her third term in the House of Representatives and represents Minnesota’s Second Congressional District. She sustained bruises during the attack.
In a letter submitted to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, Craig asked that her attacker be held accountable. She said the experience has had a “lasting impact” on her family, which continues to be concerned for her safety.” The congresswoman added that her “mental and emotional recovery” was ongoing and that she was doxed and received death threats as a result of the media coverage of the attack, per CBS News.
Kathryn D’Adamo Guevara, an attorney representing Hamlin, said her client wanted treatment for his schizophrenia as well as his substance abuse issues. The defense had asked for a sentence of one year and one day with inpatient treatment. The prosecution had asked that Hamlin be given 36 months behind bars.
Boasberg stressed Hamlin’s challenging upbringing and “frequently unaddressed” mental illness during sentencing but acknowledged that “some of this conduct has been extremely problematic,” per AP News.
Hamlin has a history of prior arrests and has been convicted of assaulting a police officer. He pleaded guilty to the attack on Craig in June.
His parents spoke to the court and called the attack on Craig “horrifying.” They said Hamlin has been homeless at times and that they had tried for years to get him treatment.
“Hours after the assault on Craig, the GOP-led House voted 250-173 to overturn a revamping of DC’s criminal code, which lowered the maximum penalties for burglary, carjacking and robbery,” reports The New York Post. “Craig joined 31 Democrats in voting for the measure.”
Violent crime in the nation’s capital has increased in recent years. As of Nov. 17, homicides had increased by 33% between 2022 and 2023, assault with a dangerous weapon 3%, and robbery 67%.
