Man held on $2M bond after Highland Park father allegedly beaten to death over noise complaint
Matthew Ascaridis, 45, was beaten to death after he confronted the suspects outside his home near Lake Michigan, prosecutors said
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- New details were revealed in court Friday as one of the two men charged with murdering a Highland Park husband and father faced a judge.
The suspects were arrested on Thursday, months after the victim's body was found.
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Prosecutors described the gruesome injuries that led to the death of Matthew Ascaridis, a 45-year-old business owner and father from Highland Park.
Bond was set at $2 million for 19-year-old Jacob Firestone. He and 20-year-old Nicholas Caban are facing second-degree murder charges in Ascaridis' death.
It was revealed in court Friday that Ascaridis confronted the two suspects about a noise complaint in September outside his home near the Lake Michigan shoreline in Lake Forest.
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During the confrontation, an attorney for Firestone claims the victim hit him in the head with a flashlight.
"And hit so hard that he broke his skull and caused what I think will be permanent brain damage," said Jed Stone, Firestone's attorney.
Firestone's attorney claims he acted in self-defense. But police say Firestone and Caban beat the victim so aggressively, that someone found Ascaridis dead four hours later near the water.
Ascaridis was well known as a retirement planner. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
The victim's family also appeared in court, but did not speak publicly.
"Until this case goes to trial, Jake is going to be sitting at the Lake County Jail," Stone said.
Caban's bond hearing is set for 9 a.m. on Monday.
