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Bond increased for Roselle man accused of sexually abusing peacock

David Beckmann put his hands over his ears Wednesday as a prosecutor described how he allegedly confessed to fatally molesting his pet peacock, Phyl.

“I don't want to hear it,” he said.

The 64-year-old Roselle man appeared in DuPage County court as prosecutors asked a judge to increase his bond and order a psychological evaluation.

He became agitated when Judge Alex McGimpsey agreed.

“I'm an innocent, honorable man, and I'm spending days and days in court,” Beckmann protested as he was taken into custody. “What do you do to dishonorable men?”

Police arrested him at his Devon Avenue home on May 7 after he solicited a teen boy to “feel him up,” authorities said. Beckmann went on to tell the child they could “you know what” after he got out of jail, according to Assistant State's Attorney Lee Roupas.

Roupas said Beckmann made further sexual advances toward a police officer during a subsequent interview.

The defendant told the officer “the first time would not be pleasurable,” as he had learned with his peacock, which he admitted died after he molested it the month prior, according to Roupas.

Police found the animal dead in Beckmann's garage in late April after the defendant was involuntarily committed for psychiatric treatment, authorities said. He was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after his statements to police.

Beckmann, who also is charged with marijuana possession and harassing police dispatchers, was released May 12 on a $1,000 bond.

Since then, he's called Roselle police and other law-enforcement agencies at least eight times with “personal updates,” according to prosecutors.

Roupas said Beckmann also recently yelled at two people passing his home and asked if they were under the age of 18.

“The defendant is an ongoing threat to society,” Roupas said.

Defense attorney Brian Telander said Beckmann is a “highly decorated” Vietnam War veteran whose history of psychiatric issues “may be related to the service of his country.” He said his client received about a week of treatment in April.

Telander agreed an evaluation of Beckmann's mental fitness is needed.

“I believe he would cooperate now, although he is an unusual individual,” Telander told the judge, adding his client is “not a threat to anyone.”

McGimpsey ordered the evaluation and increased bond so Beckmann would have to post an additional $1,250 to be released again.

The judge also barred him from owning or possessing animals and calling law-enforcement agencies when there's no emergency.

McGimpsey repeatedly admonished Beckmann for speaking out of turn during the proceedings.

At one point, Beckmann told the judge Telander was “not my attorney.” Later, he asked if he would be out of jail in time for lunch.

His next court date is June 27.

Police: Roselle man sexually abused peacock

Mental exam sought for Roselle man accused of abusing peacock