Teen Accused In Uber Murder Attacked Guards: Prosecutor

SKOKIE, IL — The teenager accused of fatally stabbing an Uber driver on Memorial Day appeared in court Tuesday. Eliza Wasni, 16, pleaded not guilty last week to first degree murder, vehicular hijacking and other charges related to the Memorial Day death of Grant Nelson, 34, of Wilmette.

On 40 different occasions, Wasni has engaged in disobedient and sometimes violent behavior at a juvenile detention facility where she has been held without bond since the incident, according to Cook County State's Attorney Diane Sheridan. She said Wasni punched, kicked and — on one occasion — bit a guard.

According to Sheridan, citing juvenile detention records, Wasni shattered a "hygiene bucket" in her cell, then hid a "jagged piece of plastic" that she tried to sneak back into her cell.

Authorities say Wasni attacked Nelson in Lincolnwood with a knife and a machete she had just stolen from the Skokie Walmart. She began stabbing him from behind minutes after hailing a ride with him using the Uber app under her own name, according to the charges.

Police said she was found holding blades and hiding near the murder scene after briefly attempting to steal Nelson's car and removing her blood-stained Chicago Cubs shirt. (Sign up for the latest breaking news alerts and daily newsletters from Wilmette, Skokie or another local community.)

At Tuesday's status hearing, Wasni appeared in a brown sweatshirt issued by Cook County's juvenile detention center and listened politely. She had missed two previous appearances because of hospitalizations. Neither her defense nor the prosecution disclosed why she was taken to hospital or any possible health issues during the proceedings.

In response to a discovery motion, prosecutors provided her defense attorney with copies of police reports from Skokie and Lincolnwood, an interview conducted by the Lincolnwood Fire Department, victim reports, records from Chicago Behavioral Hospital and other evidence gathered by investigators from the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force.

Wasni's attorney, public defender David McMahon, said Wasni has been "trying to comply, but some of the restrictions placed upon her are excessive." He said Wasni has been held in a cell with no food, no water and no blanket.

Judge Lauren G. Edidin explained to Wasni that she has no jurisdiction over any juvenile detention disciplinary issues. Edidin warned that Wasni risks facing additional criminal charges as a result of her actions while in detention but suggested that the 16-year-old accused murderer would have a better situation if she complied with the rules.

"I hope you can do that. Can you do that?" Edidin asked.

Wasni took a moment to consider the question, then she said she could.

Related:

• 16-Year-Old Girl Killed Wilmette Uber Driver in 'Random Act Of Violence,' Judge Says
• Teen Girl Accused Of Uber Driver Murder Hospitalized, Misses Court
• Family Of Murdered Wilmette Uber Driver Sues Walmart

Top photo: Eliza Wasni booking photograph | Lincolnwood PD