NEW YORK – A New York Senate committee met Tuesday to decide whether a state senator convicted of assaulting his girlfriend should remain in office, but reached no immediate conclusion.
The special committee adjourned into an executive session without announcing any decision on the fate of Sen. Hiram Monserrate. The Queens Democrat was sentenced earlier this month to probation for injuring his girlfriend by dragging her through his apartment lobby on Dec. 19, 2008. Earlier that evening, Monserrate smashed a glass into Karla Giraldo’s face, causing bloody injuries that required 40 stitches. Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican member of the committee, said the process has been bipartisan and fair.
Sen. Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat who chairs the committee, said there is no firm date on when a draft report will be finalized.
Monserrate did not attend. Monserrate, 42, was sworn in as a state senator weeks after the incident. A former Marine and New York City police officer, he was elected in 2001 to the New York City Council.
Including Monserrate, the Democrats hold a 32-30 Senate majority. The committee is made up of five Democrats, including Schneiderman, who represents part of Manhattan and the Bronx. Others are Sens. Ruth Hassell-Thompson of the Bronx, Diane Savino of Staten Island, Toby Ann Stavisky of Queens and Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers.
Besides Lanza of Staten Island, Republican members of the committee include John Flanagan of Long Island, James Alesi of Monroe County and Catharine Young of Jamestown.
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Associated Press writer Michael Virtanen in Albany contributed to this report.

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