Woodridge man fit for trial in dad’s weed-trimmer slaying
A Woodridge man once deemed unfit for trial in the weed-trimmer slaying of his father has been restored to fitness and returned to the DuPage County jail.
Yashesh Desai, 22, had been at Chester Mental Health Center southeast of St. Louis since November for treatment of a psychotic disorder.
Desai is accused of fatally beating his father Sanjiv in the head with the heavy end of a weed trimmer in August. The 47-year-old victim was attacked as he slept on a futon inside their home.
Prosecutors said Desai gave a rambling confession that included references to Godzilla and claims his father owed him money. Additional charges were filed in October after he bit a sheriff’s deputy’s finger — so hard it broke — during a scuffle in the jail, prosecutors said.
Desai was found unfit for trial in November, after a psychologist diagnosed him with a psychotic disorder. At the time, the doctor testified that Desai might respond well to medication.
On Wednesday Desai made a brief court appearance before Judge Robert Kleeman, who found him fit for trial after reviewing doctor’s reports agreed to by the defense and prosecution. Authorities said Desai formally pleaded not guilty and generally inquired about the charges. No trial date was set.
Desai remained jailed Friday on $2.2 million bail. He’s due back in court July 11.