Woman Accused In Art Basel Stabbing To Be Deported
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) --The woman accused of stabbing another woman during a world-renowned art exhibit in Miami Beach will not be allowed to come back to the United States.
Siyuan Zhao entered a guilty plea to second degree attempted murder on Thursday. Her plea is part of a deal in which she will pay $9,900 in restitution and submit a 50-page apology book to the victim.
Police say she stabbed a woman at Art Basel Miami Beach back in December 2015.
The incident took place in front of dozens of art lovers at the Miami Beach Convention Center at an exhibit for artist Naomi Fisher.
The victim of the brutal stabbing said she did not know Zhao.
On Thursday, the victim listened via a speaker as her alleged attacker accepted the plea and heard from a psychiatrist who treated Zhao.
Dr. Ilan Melnick said only now was Zhao able to understand the seriousness of the charges against her. Melnick said she was on psychotic medication that helps with voices in her head and psychosis.
The doctor said Zhao walked around naked and medication had to be forced on her while she was being held at the TGK Correctional Center following her arrest.
Miami Beach Police said just before the attack, Zhao was reportedly following the victim around the art gallery, bumping into her several times intentionally. When the victim finally confronted Zhao, without provocation, Zhao pulled out an exacto knife and stabbed the woman in her arm and shoulder.
Witnesses initially thought the attack was part of a live art performance but the bloody scene prompted attendees to call police.
While in handcuffs, officers say Zhao spontaneously offered a glimpse of a motive, saying, "I had to kill her and two more" and "I had to watch her bleed."
According to the arrest report, Zhao admitted to stabbing the woman in order to "clean" her.
Melnick said during her treatment Zhao said she had hallucinations and was under the false belief that the victim was an ISIS agent. Zhao also said she believed the victim would destroy the art and it was her duty to protect it.
As part of the plea deal, Zhao will be deported to China and will not be allowed to enter the United States again.
The judge said the victim agreed to the plea deal in the "spirit of forgiveness."
