Cleaver attack suspect indicted on first-degree murder charge

NEW YORK (CNN) -- David Tarloff, the man accused of hacking a Manhattan therapist to death with a meat cleaver, was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in Manhattan District Court on Friday.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau announced in a press release that Tarloff is charged with the murder of therapist Kathryn Faughey and the attempted murder of her co-worker, Kent Shinbach.

Earlier Friday, the defense lawyer representing Tarloff said his client had been found fit to stand trial.

Attorney Bryan Konoski told CNN that two court-appointed psychiatrists evaluated Tarloff and wrote in their final report that his client understood the nature of the charges against him and would be able to assist in his own defense.

Konoski contested the report during Friday's hearing, claiming that it didn't provide any indication of his client's mental state during the time of the incident. Konoski said the judge verbally agreed to his request and will sign the approval for a new psychiatric evaluation on Monday.

Tarloff is also being charged with second degree-murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree attempted robbery. He will be arraigned on the indictment during his next scheduled court appearance on March 25.

The first-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Tarloff, who lives in the New York borough of Queens, was arrested Saturday after forensic evidence found at the crime scene linked him to the slaying. In addition, three witnesses placed him at the scene, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told reports. Watch surveillance video of suspect »

Faughey, 56, was stabbed to death the night of February 12 in her Upper East Side office, and Shinbach, 70, was seriously wounded. Police said two knives and a meat cleaver were used in the attack.

Faughey's 20-year-old practice focused on relationships, depression and anxiety. E-mail to a friend

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