The assistant who allegedly decapitated his tech entrepreneur boss in his multi-million dollar Manhattan apartment was seen in handcuffs in court today as he turned down a plea deal.
Tyrese Haspil, 21, appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on murder charges Wednesday for the July 13, 2020 killing of Fahim Saleh.
Haspil turned down a plea deal and elected to undergo a mental evaluation before his case is moved to trial.
Saleh, 33, was allegedly dismembered by his executive assistant Haspil, who stole $90,000 from the businessman in the months leading up to his death, police say.
Saleh's limbless body was found in his luxury apartment on the Lower East Side in July and Haspil has since been arrested and charged with first degree murder over the gruesome killing.
Police claimed Haspil was stealing money from Saleh and took more than $90,000 between 2017 and July 2020, when the murder took place.
In their submission to the grand jury, prosecutors described finding a Makita saw, demolition bags containing body parts, limbs and a Home Depot receipt inside Saleh's home.
They say that over the course of three years, Haspil stole more than $90,000 from Saleh in PayPal and Intuit transfers, and that he kept transferring money to himself four days after Saleh had died.
Haspil pleaded not guilty and remains in custody awaiting trial.
Detectives started investigating Haspil after finding text messages in which Saleh accused Haspil of stealing the money, according to police sources.
Saleh was tasered and then stabbed multiple times before being dismembered, police said.
Surveillance footage from inside the 265 East Houston apartment building showed Saleh was followed into the elevator by a man - believed to be Haspil - who was wearing a black suit and mask.
Haspil's credit card was allegedly used after the murder to purchase a power saw and cleaning products at Home Depot.
The card was allegedly also used to pay for travel to and from Saleh's apartment.
When police arrived at the scene, Saleh's torso was found in the corner of his living room and his head, arms, and legs had been separated into plastic bags.
An electric saw that was still plugged in, a vacuum cleaner and cleaning products were found nearby.
When the alleged killer returned the following day to clean up, police believe he may have been interrupted by Saleh's cousin who stopped by to check in on him.