Judge Accepts Insanity Plea in Case of Baseball Bat Attack

A Virginia judge accepted an insanity plea from a man who was accused of attacking U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly’s district office with a baseball bat, injuring two staffers.

At a Glance

Xuan-Kha Tran Pham found not guilty by reason of insanity for baseball bat attack
Two staffers injured in May 2023 attack, including an intern on her first day
Pham to be sent to psychiatric hospital for treatment
Judge accepted insanity plea on charges including malicious wounding and assault
Rep. Connolly condemns political rhetoric and hate speech, linking them to the attack

Details of the Attack

In May 2023, Xuan-Kha Tran Pham was accused of launching a violent assault on U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly’s district office in northern Virginia. Reports indicated that armed with a metal baseball bat, Pham first chased and threatened a woman, damaging her car, before entering Connolly’s office. There, he reportedly struck a congressional staffer in the head and hit an intern in the ribs, causing serious injuries.

The attack was particularly shocking as one of the victims was an intern on her first day at work. During the assault, Pham repeatedly shouted, “You’re going to die,” according to the staffer. A postal worker’s intervention allowed the staffer to escape, and police arrived shortly after to subdue and arrest Pham using a taser.

Insanity Plea and Legal Proceedings

In a recent development, a Virginia judge accepted Pham’s insanity plea on charges including malicious wounding and assault. This decision came after two doctors concluded that Pham was insane at the time of the attacks. The acceptance of this plea means that Pham will be sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment rather than facing traditional criminal sentencing.

Pham’s defense attorney stated that his client has suffered from serious mental illness for decades and was not properly medicated during the attack. This information played a crucial role in the court’s decision to accept the insanity plea. Pham will now undergo a 45-day evaluation period at a state psychiatric hospital, where he has been held since his arrest.

Rep. Connolly’s Response and Broader Implications

Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was not present during the attack, expressed hope that Pham receives the necessary treatment to prevent further harm. However, Connolly also used this incident to highlight broader concerns about political rhetoric and violence against public officials.

A northern Virginia man who attacked staffers in the district office of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly with a baseball bat was found not guilty by reason of insanity Monday. https://t.co/XsQzly3piq

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 27, 2024

Connolly strongly condemned incendiary political rhetoric and hate speech, drawing a connection between such language and the attack on his office. This stance underscores the growing concern among many lawmakers about the potential consequences of heated political discourse and its impact on public safety.

Ongoing Impacts and Future Proceedings

The effects of this attack continue to resonate. The congressional staffer who was struck in the head received treatment for a concussion and was still undergoing therapy six months after the incident, highlighting the long-term consequences that can stem from such violent acts.

While the state case has concluded with the acceptance of the insanity plea, a federal case is still pending against Pham for assaulting a U.S. government employee. This ongoing legal proceeding ensures that the incident will remain in the public eye and continue to spark discussions about security measures for government officials and their staff.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by public servants and the complex intersections of mental health, political rhetoric, and public safety in our society.