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New charge: Weed trimmer murder suspect bites sergeant

A Woodridge man accused of murdering his father with a weed trimmer has bitten his way into more trouble, prosecutors said.

About a dozen sheriff's deputies stood guard Friday as Yashesh Desai was wheeled into a DuPage County courtroom in restraints to face a charge of aggravated battery to a corrections officer.

Prosecutors said the 21-year-old struck a sergeant at the county jail Sunday and then chomped down on the officer's left ring finger, breaking it.

The attack happened about 6:45 p.m. as jail staff tried to move the defendant to a different cell so his could be cleaned, Assistant State's Attorney Helen Kapas said.

“He had been urinating, defecating, and shoving his meal trays in the toilet,” she told Judge Robert Kleeman.

Kleeman ordered the man brought to court by force after Desai refused to attend bond call Thursday and another court appearance earlier this week.

Several deputies wearing protective gear wheeled the defendant into court with his arms and legs restrained to a chair and a blue blanket over his lap. Desai, who has grown a beard since his arrest, did not speak.

Kapas said Desai took an “aggressive stance,” swore at jail officers, and tried to stop them from entering his cell Sunday. He then struck a sergeant in the right temple, knocking off his glasses and scratching his neck, and bit into the officer's finger through a glove, she said.

Kleeman set bail on the new charge at $200,000 and ordered Desai to undergo a blood draw — by force, if necessary — to be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

“I don't take this lightly,” Kleeman said of using force.

Desai was already being held on $2 million bail and is not likely to post bond, Assistant Public Defender Ruth Walstra said.

The former University of Illinois student is charged with the Aug. 14 murder of Sanjiv Desai at their home on the 0-100 block of Plover Court in Woodridge. The 47-year-old father was beaten in the head with a weed trimmer as he slept on a futon, authorities said.

Desai later gave a rambling confession saying his father owed him money and also referencing Godzilla, prosecutors have said.

Desai shouted nonsensical statements at his first court appearance in August. Attorneys on both sides of the case are now awaiting results of a psychological evaluation, which could be presented Oct. 28 at the Desai's scheduled arraignment.

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