A transient charged with murder in the swarming death of a St. Catharines man in Toronto last summer is facing a new charge in connection with another vicious downtown attack.
Nicole Kish, 21, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with aggravated assault.
Police said on July 20, a middle-aged woman was attacked after allegedly petting Kish's dog.
The 55-year-old victim had approached the pet in the area of Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West, where a group of panhandlers was gathered, police said.
A verbal dispute erupted, and the victim was pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked.
The woman was taken to hospital where she underwent surgery for a collapsed lung, investigators said.
Kish appeared at the College Park courts on Thursday for a bail hearing. The hearing will resume on Friday.
She is currently charged with second-degree murder in the slaying of 32-year-old Ross Hammond.
Police said he was beaten and stabbed by four panhandlers in the same Spadina and Queen area on Aug. 12. Detectives allege he was attacked after refusing to hand over money. Hammond died from his injuries in hospital two days later.
Kish was granted bail in that case in early September and placed under house arrest. Court orders require her to live at her grandmother's home in southwestern Ontario, but she remains in custody on the new charge.
Three others, all U.S. citizens who are in the country illegally, face various assault charges in the Hammond homicide. They remain in custody.
With a report from CTV's Chris Eby
