Attempted Murder Charge in Manhattan Bar Attack

MYFOXNY.COM - The suspect in the brutal Manhattan bar beating has been charged with attempted murder. Mbarek Lafrem was arraigned Saturday. Police initially planned to charge the 30-year-old with assault, but prosecutors upgraded the case because of the victim's injuries.

Cops said that Lafrem beat the woman, a nurse from Connecticut, into unconsciousness in the bathroom of Social at 795 8th Avenue after she rejected his advances on the dance floor, the NYPD said.

The attack happened about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Police had released video footage from two security cameras -- one outside the bar and one at a nearby bodega -- that showed the man cops now say was Lafrem.

Lafrem was employed at a construction site in Manhattan and was staying at a hotel near the bar, said Paul Browne, the deputy commissioner of public information.

Lafrem's coworkers called police when they saw the video released by the NYPD, the AP reported.

The victim suffered a broken nose, broken jaw and fractures to her eye socket and skull.

Lafrem also faces an attempted rape charge.

She underwent surgery Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Officials there issued a statement Friday.

"The family of the young woman who was assaulted yesterday in Midtown wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received," the statement read, in part.

--With AP