A St. Paul man was charged Monday with stabbing his ex-wife's attorney in the attorney's office last week.
Sheikh Nyane, 32, of St. Paul, was charged with attempted first-degree and second-degree murder.
Nyane recently had lost legal and physical custody of a child, according to the Anoka County attorney's office. Lawyer Terri Ann Melcher was representing Nyane's ex-wife in family court.
According to the criminal complaint, Nyane went to the attorney's office on the 6400 block of University Avenue NE. in Fridley about 5 p.m. Friday, where he repeatedly stabbed her in the face, throat and collarbone area. Police found Melcher in her office bleeding. She identified Nyane as her attacker and said that at one point he held her down while cutting her throat, the complaint said.
Nyane turned himself in to Minneapolis police officers at Bobby and Steve's Auto World on Washington Avenue at Interstate 35W in Minneapolis, police said Friday. Nyane was arrested about 40 minutes after the attack occurred.
In an interview with police, Nyane said he stabbed Melcher using a knife he brought from home, the complaint said.
Melcher, 54, was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. Police said Friday that she had been in critical condition when admitted but was expected to survive. No updates on her condition were available Monday.
Nyane is being held at the Anoka County jail in lieu of $1 million bail, with no conditions. He could yet be released on $500,000 bail, with conditions.
MARIA ELENA BACA
