India, March 2 -- An Indian-origin nurse was beaten almost to death by a psychiatric patient at the Florida hospital where she worked. Leela Lal, 67, suffered a brutal attack at the hands of Stephen Scantlebury at Palms West Hospital on Tuesday, reported local news channel WPBF.

Scantlebury, 33, has been jailed while he awaits trial. He has been charged with attempted second-degree murder with a hate crime modifier, CBS12 reported.

According to the arrest affidavit quoted by WPBF, "Scantlebury was a psychiatric patient on a Baker Act hold", which means he was hospitalised involuntarily after a mental health crisis.

On Tuesday, Scantlebury was on a bed on the third floor of the hospital when he suddenly attacked Lal. Eyewitnesses said h...