Mr. Tischler said that his client had “no prior history of violent or hateful behavior” and that he was cooperating with law enforcement. His client acknowledged the seriousness of the charges, he said, but had not been able to control his actions.

“At the time of the incident, Mr. Brafman was experiencing a severe mental health crisis which caused him to be in fear for his life,” the lawyer said in a text message to The New York Times. “It is believed that his ability to make sound judgments was significantly compromised.”