Sen. Monserrate accused of slashing girlfriend

New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, right, listens to his attorney Joe Tacopina, left, addressing the media outside Queens Criminal Court in the Queens borough of New York Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. He is accused of attacking his girlfriend with a broken bottle during an argument in December and may lose his senate seat if convicted. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Sen. Hiram Monserrate walks with his attorney Joe Tacopina, left, and supporters outside Queens Criminal Court. (September 14, 2009)

New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, center, listens to his attorney Joe Tacopina, left, addressing the media outside Queens Criminal Court in the Queens borough of New York Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. He is accused of attacking his girlfriend with a broken bottle during an argument in December and may lose his senate seat if convicted. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, left, walks from Queens Criminal Court in the Queens borough of New York Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 as he is greeted by Victor Espaillat of New York, right, who says he knows and likes Monserrate. Monserrate is accused of attacking his girlfriend with a broken bottle during an argument in December and may lose his senate seat if convicted. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens listens to his attorney Joe Tacopina outside Queens Criminal Court in the Queens borough of New York Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. He is accused of attacking his girlfriend with a broken bottle during an argument in December and may lose his senate seat if convicted. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, center, walks with his attorney Joe Tacopina, left, and supporters as he leaves Queens Criminal Court in the Queens borough of New York Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. Monserrate is accused of attacking his girlfriend with a broken bottle during an argument in December and may lose his senate seat if convicted. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)