Uniondale man arraigned on grand jury charges of pummeling wife with toilet tank cover, authorities say

A Nassau County grand jury has handed up a 17-count indictment against a Uniondale man who, police and prosecutors said, pummeled his wife with a toilet tank cover and then stabbed her in the head, neck and back last month while she was knocked out cold.

Michael Taylor, 50, was arraigned Thursday in Nassau County Court before acting Supreme Court Justice William O'Brien on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated criminal contempt, first-degree criminal contempt, aggravated family offense and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

He was being held in the Nassau jail on bail of $750,000 cash or bond. Taylor faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top charge and is due back in court Nov. 25.

"The defendant is alleged to have nearly killed his victim, by hitting her in the head with a toilet tank cover and stabbing her multiple times in the head, back, neck and hands," acting Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement. "Domestic violence is far too common in society and we will do everything in our power to put abusers in prison."

Taylor's attorney, Michael Berger, could not be reached for comment.

Police and prosecutors said Taylor was arguing with his wife, 53, at their home shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 when he struck her on the head with the toilet tank cover. Police said Taylor also stabbed her in the head, neck and back with a knife until she regained consciousness and ran away to call police.

Taylor then engaged police in a two-hour standoff, refusing to leave the house, but Bureau of Special Operations unit officers found him hiding inside a basement wall and arrested him, authorities said.

The victim was taken to a hospital and survived her injuries.