The man accused of stabbing another man as he waited in line at a Dunkin' Donuts in New Haven faced a judge Tuesday.
Witnesses said there was no exchange of words, and suspect Holger Ojeda, 34, was not provoked. Prosecutors allege the attack was racially motivated.
According to documents released in court, Ojeda told officers he stabbed the victim because he hates black people. Ojeda's public defender said she's still looking into the crime and how it all played out. She mentioned a self-defense claim in court.
During his arraignment, the court was told Ojeda suffers from mental illness and is currently being seen at a local facility.
Those who frequent the Dunkin' Donuts call the ordeal frightening.
"I come to this Dunkin' Donuts a lot. They're real good people inside. They treat you with respect. Then, for an incident like that to happen, you know, especially to someone who's not in their right state of mind, who do you blame for that?" said one woman, who only wanted to be identified as Sheila.
Ojeda is being held on $250,000 bond and is ordered to have no contact with victim William Sweat or the Dunkin' Donuts if he is able to post bail. He's due back in court on June 2.
