FORMER UWI principal Professor Clement Sankat and his wife have hired a high-profile attorney to handle the case of their son, Nishal Sankat, accused in the US of burglary, trespassing and grand theft.
Florida’s Spectrum news 13 reported on Wednesday that Brevard county attorney Greg Eisenmenger was hired on Monday and has spoken to media on behalf of Nishal Sankat.
According to Spectrum News 13, Eisenmenger met with Nishal Sankat’s family and some friends, who told him that the incident was unexpected.
Nishal Sankat, a student pilot, did not have an attorney when appeared in Brevard County Court on Friday on three offences arising out of his alleged attempt to steal the passenger airplane at the airport at Orlando, Florida, USA.
His hands and feet were shackled and he wore an anti-suicide smock when he appeared before the judge and he was given a form to apply for a district attorney.
During the hearing he appeared to have difficulty answering questions and filling out a form that asked basic questions.
FBI agents David Joseph Hacker and Christopher Castielo gave testimony in the hearing, and Hacker said he responded to a ‘possible terrorist incident’.
Eisenmenger is reportedly working towards Nishal Sankat, 22, being under the care of a private physician and to move him from the jail to a treatment facility.
The attorney has claimed that the conditions are making matters worse for his client, who is suffering from mental health issues.
Eisenmenger has said that this case has a “mental health component,” and his client is under suicide watch at the Brevard County Jail.
Spectrum News 13 said that questions remain on the motive behind the incident, and quoted the attorney having said : “The actual act came out of the blue,” and “No one has any indication that this could happen”.
“I think we all recognize this went beyond a college student being homesick and trying to go home,” Eisenmenger also said.
Federal charges have not been filed against Nishal Sankat and he remains in jail without bond (bail) as his immigration status is pending.
