The man investigators say instigated a violent attack against an Erie County Sheriff's Deputy this week remains behind bars without bail, after he and a co-defendant entered pleas of not guilty Friday morning in Grand Island Town Court.
Sammy Abdellatif, 22, and Brittany Ashley-Graser, 21, appeared before Grand Island Town Justice Mark Frentzel. The co-defendants are accused of violently attacking Deputy Jason Clark following a traffic stop on Wednesday evening in the vicinity of East River Road and Whitehaven Road.
Abdellatif, who is charged with attempted murder, is accused of placing a chokehold on Clark that, according to investigators, could have proven fatal if not for the intervention of a passing civilian. Abdellatif already faced charges of phoning in a death threat against Clark, following a July traffic stop that resulted in the defendant's car being towed.
Ashley-Graser, who was represented by a public defender, is charged with felony assault, obstructing justice and resisting arrest. According to investigators, she jumped on the deputy's back as Abdellatif was assaulting him.
Judge Frentzel set her bail at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. Both defendants are due back in court for a felony hearing on August 30.
Acting District Attorney Michael Flaherty indicated on Thursday that a grand jury will soon look at evidence and could hand up additional charges.
