New York man, 30, 'gouged out both his 78-year-old gran's eyes in a fight about money and then said "so" when told it had left her blind'
- GRAPHIC WARNING
- Michael Grief is said to have launched the vile attack after arguing with his elderly relative Sheila Grief over spending $1000 on her debit card overdraft
- Police say he used his thumbs to gouge out one eye at a time 'with such force that the globes of her eyes ruptured'
- Sheila had reportedly run to her neighbor's house for help but her grandson allegedly followed her out of the home they share in Sayville
- Doctors say she has a less than a one percent chance of regaining her sight
- Authorities say Grief shrugged and replied 'so' when told of her injuries
- He has been charged with three counts of violent assault
Michael Grief has been charged with three counts of violent assault after allegedly gouging out both his grandmother's eyes
A New York man is accused of gouging out both of his 78-year-old grandmother's eyes in a fight about money.
Michael Grief, 30, is said to have launched the vile attack after arguing with his elderly relative Sheila Grief over spending $1000 on her debit card overdraft.
Police say he used his thumbs to gouge out one eye at a time 'with such force that the globes of her eyes ruptured' during the alleged incident at the home they share in Sayville last month.
Sheila had reportedly run to her neighbor's house for help but her grandson allegedly followed her there.
She now has a less than a one percent chance of regaining her sight, doctors say.
But authorities say when Grief - who has been charged with three counts of violent assault - was told about what he allegedly did he is said to have shrugged and replied: 'So.'
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said: 'There, Mr. Grief, using his thumbs, gouged his grandmother's eyes one at a time with such force that the globes of her eyes ruptured, both of them.
'The neighbors who heard the victim screaming and banging on the door came outside, found her on the ground and called the police.'
Sini added: 'He seemed apathetic toward the situation, this is an individual who we consider dangerous and we have to take all appropriate action.'
Medics at Stony Brook University Hospital worked for eight hours to try and save Sheila's eyesight but say there is little hope of her regaining her vision, ABC7 reports.
Sheila reportedly ran from the home they share in Sayville, pictured, to her neighbor's house
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Grief - who had a history of mental illness - has no previous convictions and is being held on $500,000 cash bail. He could serve up to 25 years in jail if convicted.
Sini added: 'The message here is one about domestic violence: Often people find themselves in situations with their family members where they feel helpless or threatened, and we want to encourage those people to reach out.
'If you are in immediate danger, call 911. In non-emergency situations, you can also reach out to the District Attorney's Office and we can put you in contact with a victim's advocate who can empower you and help you navigate the process of ensuring your safety.'
