KENNER, La. — For Nissan Patel, three years of court hearings haven’t been easy, but they’ve all led up to a Jefferson Parish jury being seated Monday.
“It gives us, the entire family, a sense of relief,” said Patel.
That relief came when the trial began for the man accused of killing his father Ashok Patel, 67. Patel was beaten in the parking lot of the Radisson Hotel, which he owned, on Veterans Boulevard in Kenner. That was in July of 2020. Patel died two months later because of his injuries.
“It’s been heartbreaking,” said Patel. “My father’s birthday is during Christmas, so every Christmas is rougher than the one before. Of course, Father’s Days, he’s missed a lot of celebrations, the birth of his first grandson who carries his namesake.”
According to Kenner police, David Schulien, 33, of Texas was speeding through the hotel parking lot. Police believe Schulien, who wasn’t staying at the hotel, was trying to get to a rental car return area which was close by. When Patel approached him, police say Schulien knocked Patel to the ground and kicked him.
“I don’t see a reason why Mr. Schulien had to kick him, and he kicked him hard enough to break his leg. That’s a pretty powerful kick,” said Kenner Police Lt. Michael Cunningham at the time.
Patel says his father was an entrepreneur who immigrated to the U.S. from India more than four decades ago for a better life and to live the American dream.
“Just to have that dream end up the way it did, it’s pretty devastating,” said Patel. “We’re just ready to get this started moving and we have full faith in the criminal justice system.”
Patel was a big part of the local Indian community, helped other people with immigration, and was known to lend a hand.
“My brother and my sister and I, we’ve tried to continue his legacy of service back to the community, back to friends and family, just to make sure that his name and his namesake live on,” said Patel.
As first-generation Americans Patel says he and his siblings learned the importance of working hard from their father. He says those lessons, much like their father, will never be forgotten.
“We’re hoping that this will be a closure for this family, and we get to continue his legacy,” said Patel.
Schulien is charged with manslaughter and could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Eyewitness News reached out to Schulien’s attorney, James Williams, for comment, but we’ve not heard back.
The trial is expected to last through the week.
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