Indiana man convicted of exorcism

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., April 22 (UPI) -- A man accused of performing an exorcism on a 14-year-old autistic boy has been found guilty of battery and criminal confinement by a jury in Indiana.

Eddie Uyesugi, 24, now faces between two and eight years in jail on each felony count, the Bedford Times-Mail reported Wednesday.

Prosecutors say the 14-year-old boy suffered bruises, abrasions and two black eyes as a result of a ceremony Uyesugi conducted to rid the boy of demons.

Deputy prosecutor Darcie Winkle of Monroe County told jurors Uyesugi beat the boy and restrained him against his will for hours during an exorcism that took place in May of 2007.

Uyesugi defense attorney Matt Blanton said the boy's grandmother sanctioned the exorcism and instructed Uyesugi to help her get the demons out of her grandson.

Monroe County Circuit Judge Teresa Harper will sentence Uyesugi May 21.