Mentally Ill Man Forced To Drink Toilet Water, Tortured To Death By Caretakers

A Chicago couple and their friend have been charged for the death of a mentally ill man who was under their care.

Frederick Johnson, 43, was found dead in a garage on June 25. Chicago police officers spotted the man's battered body while conducting a well-being check in the area.

The couple, Santino Carter and Dominique Beck, along with their friend, identified as Brian Gray, was taken into custody Sunday and charged with murder for Johnson's death.

Prosecutors told a court Wednesday that Johnson, who was suffering from schizophrenia, was living with the couple for about two years. The couple was serving as Johnson's caretakers and was receiving Johnson's disability checks, reported Chicago Sun-Times.

The couple had initially told the investigators that Johnson was missing. They said they had kicked him out of their home for defecating in their rooms two weeks before the body was recovered.

But, two months after the incident, an eyewitness came forward and told investigators that the couple tortured Johnson before leaving him in a nearby alley on June 24.

The eyewitness, who was with Carter at the time, reportedly heard Beck informing Carter that Johnson had defecated in their living room and bathroom. They then drove to the couple's home, where the witness allegedly saw the couple punishing and torturing Johnson.

Carter allegedly made Johnson stand in the living room while touching his toes for several hours. He also beat him with a wooden stick and metal chain when he refused to comply. Carter then went into Johnson's room with a hammer. Later, the eyewitness heard the hammer striking something and Johnson crying in pain.

Carter then called Gray to help him clean up the blood and change Johnson's clothes. Johnson could no longer stand on his own at the time. Carter also pointed a gun at Johnson but Gray interfered and made him put it away, the witness told investigators.

Carter later told the witness that they had left Johnson in the alley and called 911. The witness allegedly was asked to stick to the story that Johnson was missing for several weeks.

Gray told the investigators that he was paid $100 for cleaning up the place. He admitted that Johnson was alive when they left him in the alley. He also said Carter was angry because Johnson had exposed himself to his children.

Prosecutors told the court that the information corroborated with phone records, Johnson's autopsy report and evidence collected from the couple's house. They added that Beck used to punish Johnson by making him drink toilet water and forcing him to do squats while carrying heavy books for hours. Beck reportedly told police that Gray also participated in beating Johnson on the day of murder.

Describing the case as "evil on a whole other level," Judge John F Lyke said, "This was a violent and cruel death that this victim suffered."

The court ordered Carter and Gray to held without bail. Beck was held on a $1 million bail. The trio is scheduled to appear in court on Dec.14.