The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Former hotel owner's trial set to begin

After more than a year's delay, the trial of a Carbondale hotel owner charged with beating and sexually assaulting a female patron will move forward next month.

Vishant Desai, the former owner and manager of the Horizon Inn and Conference Center at 800 E. Main St., is accused of forcing sexual acts on a then 22-year-old female patron of the hotel's bar in February 2003.

Originally delayed to allow DNA testing, Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Wepsiec said Desai's decision to "retain council from out of state has caused some delay" as well.

A pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 16. If both parties are ready for trial, Wepsiec said it would begin two weeks later.

Wepsiec could not discuss the nature of the DNA evidence, but Maurice McCann, Desai's defense attorney, said in a previous pretrial hearing that DNA was collected from Desai's accuser.

Desai is charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of battery. Each criminal sexual assault count carries a jail sentence of up to 15 years.

If convicted of battery, a Class A misdemeanor, Desai could serve up to one year. He is currently free on bond.

The hotel has recently come under new management, but an employee who answered the phone Tuesday afternoon said hotel officials could not comment on the case.

 

 

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