Man who struck father with hammer pleads no contest to abuse charge
By Michael Manekin
San Mateo County Times
08/25/2008
REDWOOD CITY — A Foster City man pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of elder abuse with great bodily injury for striking his 81-year-old father on the head with a hammer to qualify him for admission to a nursing home.
Jayantibhai "Johnny" Patel, 57, made the plea in exchange for the withdrawal of one count of felony assault and a promise from a San Mateo County Superior Court judge that he would face no more than five years in prison, according to San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Patel's father, Naranbhai Patel, reportedly told a paramedic that his son had said, "You die," moments before striking him on the head on Oct. 6, 2007, prosecutors said.
But interviews with Jayantibhai Patel, his father and witnesses led prosecutors to believe that the Jayantibhai Patel truly believed that he was helping his father gain entry into a nursing home. A medical professional had told Patel that in order for his father to be admitted into a rest home, he would have to be ill or injured.
Patel's father's wounds required about six staples to close, according to the district attorney's office. Still, the elder Patel offered the equity in his home to post the $500,000 bail his son needed to get out of jail, according to family members.
A sentencing hearing will be held Nov. 7. The defense plans to put Patel's father on the witness stand to defend his son. Other family members will also speak on behalf of Patel's character in an effort to reduce his punishment to probation, Wagstaffe said.
SOURCE: San Mateo County Times
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