On October 25, 1983, Shila Patel, a 6-year-old girl of Indian ethnicity, tragically lost her life in Gilmer, Texas. She was one of four victims in a horrific crime that took place in the family-owned Upshur House Hotel in Gilmer. Shila's mother, Bhikhi Patel, her 2-year-old brother, Jayesh, and her 9-year-old sister, Jayaben, were also killed.
The perpetrator, Gandabhai Patel, a 38-year-old Indian man, was arrested and charged with the murders. He was indicted by an Upshur County grand jury on four counts of murder. During the trials, Patel's defense attorney argued that Patel was insane and did not know what he was doing was wrong. Despite this defense, Patel was found guilty of the murder of his 2-year-old son, Jayesh, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case drew significant attention due to the brutality of the crime and the subsequent legal proceedings. The trial was moved to Marion County because of the extensive publicity in Upshur County, which made it difficult for Patel to receive a fair trial. Ultimately, Patel was convicted and sentenced for the murder of his son, but the case remains a tragic and dark chapter in the history of Gilmer, Texas.
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