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Psychiatric exam for subway saw-attack suspect

BY HERBERT LOWE | Newsday Staff Writer

July 8, 2006

Saw attack suspect Tareyton Williams walks through a gate as he is escorted away from a holding cell at 59th Street & Columbus Circle subway station at approximately 12:15 a.m. (Newsday Photo/ James A. Escher / July 7, 2006)

A Bronx man accused of slicing open a postal worker's chest with a power saw at an Upper West Side subway station was arraigned Friday and ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam, prosecutors said.

A Manhattan judge also compelled Tareyton Williams, 33, to remain held without bail on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Michael Steinberg, whom Williams allegedly attacked with the cordless saw at the 110th Street station on the No. 1 line, around 3:30 a.m. Thursday, said doctors had told him he was in stable condition at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. But Steinberg, 64, who lives on 113th Street, was hurting.

"Today's not a good day," Steinberg said in a telephone interview from his hospital bed. "I'm in pain and on my back. My back! My legs!"

Steinberg, who suffered a punctured lung and possible broken rib, said he expects to be hospitalized at least through the weekend.

"I got out of bed today for the first time; it's excruciating to walk sometimes," he said. "This guy really did a job on me."

Told that Williams would soon undergo a psychiatric exam, Steinberg was incredulous.

"I think he's out of his mind, that's for sure," Steinberg said. "I think he needs much more than that. I think he should be put away. If he can use that as a defense, more power to him. He tried to kill me."

Williams, who police said has a prison record for attempted drug sales, faces up to 25 years behind bars if convicted of the charges stemming from the attack on Steinberg.

Criminal Court Judge Eileen Koretz also set a bail of one dollar on a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault lodged against Williams, who was arrested after punching another man uptown, prosecutors said.

Williams' attorney could not be reached for comment.