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Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Woman At Essex House
By
Jen Chung
Published May 16, 2011
Modified May 16, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 16, 2011
Modified May 16, 2011
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The Essex House's housekeeping manager has pleaded guilty to killing a female guest in 2009. Derrick Praileau took a deal for 23 years to life for strangling Sara Bejjani after trying to rape her in condo. The victim's brother, Joe Bejjani, said, "Nothing is going to help... We lost... I don't really care about the sentence—my sister's life is gone," but added, "I'm glad he confessed—finally."
Bejjani's body was found with a rope around her neck; she was also stabbed. Praileau had told police that he showed up drunk before his 6 a.m. shift (apparently looking for a woman to rape), used his key to get into Bejjani's 10th floor apartment and "just lost it." He also told cops he overpowered Bejjani, an investment banker, and told her to "chill."
Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance said, "This was a brutal and senseless crime. There is an unstated trust we place in people who have access to our homes by virtue of their profession. Today's guilty plea ensures that this man will serve a lengthy sentence behind bars."
Tagged
attempted rape
Derrick Praileau
essex house
guilty plea
murder
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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