Maniac who stabbed rabbi with syringe in New York claims mistaken identity, prosecutors say she spared Muslim man from similar fate

The lawyer for the madman who allegedly stabbed a rabbi and another Jew in two separate attacks minutes apart in Midtown Manhattan said Sunday that his arrest was a case of mistaken identity.

Anna Mochalova faces multiple charges for Wednesday’s two attacks — including a terrifying case where she stalked and poked a 26-year-old rabbi with a syringe, according to a hate crime complaint filed by the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

Mochalova targeted a man wearing a yarmulke two blocks away just minutes after allegedly stabbing the young rabbi, prosecutors in Manhattan Criminal Court said.

Mochalova bumped into the man several times, causing a tingling sensation in his right arm, prosecutors alleged — before ice-coldly telling the man “get out of here. I have a gun. I’m going to shoot you,” according to authorities.

Prosecutors said the madwoman then turned her attention to a third man, who was spared her harassment because he told her he was Muslim.

“The conduct during these incidents is frightening and disturbing and the defendant faces serious charges as a result,” Assistant District Attorney Emily Hong said in court.

“She chose her two targets because she believed them to be Jewish,” the prosecutor said.

But Mochalova’s lawyer, Lila Carpenter, told the court that the alleged attacker had no previous arrests and was gainfully employed, arguing that “there could be an identity issue” on the part of police for her client.

“These allegations are concerning. Whether they belong to my client is another story,” Carpenter told Judge Linda Capitti.

The judge set bail at $50,000, citing the seriousness of the allegations as well as surveillance video of the alleged attacks.

Yitty, 31, coordinator of the Manhattan Shomrim, told the Post via video call that the Jewish community is “pleased” with the court’s decision.

“You know, leaving her outside is just a danger to everyone outside. She needs help,” he said.

Mochalova is due back in court on October 29.