Hate crime charges have been filed against four for kidnapping and torturing a mentally disabled man on Facebook live. The four accused are Jordan Hill (18), Tesfaye Cooper (18), Brittany Covington (18) and Tanishia Covington (24).
The four of them are charged with felony aggravated kidnapping, hate crime, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated unlawful restraint.
Jordan Hill, Cooper and Covington are also charged with residential burglary. Hill also faces charges for possessing a stolen motor vehicle.
The Facebook live video has shocked those who watched it. Not only because of the graphic abuse, but also because of the comments made by the assailants.
During the Facebook live video assailants were heard saying, "*F*ck Donald Trump!" one attacker shouted in the video. "F*ck white people!"
According to the CNN News, Cmdr. Kevin Duffin of the Chicago Police Department told reporters, the mentally disabled teenager was tied up for four or five hours. However, the victim will recover from his injuries and he is now with his parents at home, police said.
The victims brother-in-law David Boyd spoke briefly with reporters Thursday night. He said that the family is thankful for all the prayers. He added that he asks for continued prayer for all those involved and for the family's privacy as they cope and heal.
He also stated that the boy is doing fine and recovering well. The entire family also saw the video, but no other comment were added about it.
According to the ABC7 News, investigators do not believe the case was premeditated. However the case might have escalated under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The police decided to pursue the hate crime charges considering the victim's diminished mental capacity. The fact that he was kidnapped and tortured. And the racist statements heard from the video.
Those who saw it in Facebook live was so shocked. Police took an immediate action and pursued hate crime charges against the assulters.
