Chicago Torture-Kidnap Video: Victim's Brother-in-Law Says Family Trying to Stick Together After Ordeal

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The family of the 18-year-old, mentally challenged man from Crystal Lake who was allegedly tortured and held hostage by four African-American adults is trying to stick together in the wake of the ordeal, the victim's brother-in-law said at a press conference Thursday night.

With other members of the victim's family in attendance, David Boyd told reporters that his brother-in-law was "doing as well as he could be at this time" after being bound and tormented for between four or five hours Tuesday, Jan. 3, an experience that was partially videotaped and posted on Facebook. Four people face hate crime, kidnapping and other felony charges in connection with the incident.

Boyd, who spoke on behalf of the family at the press conference, also thanked the public for their support

"We're so grateful for all the prayers and efforts that led to the safe return of our brother," he said.

Asked if the family had viewed the video, Boyd responded, "Everyone's seen the video."

And as the family wrapped up the short press conference held in Crystal Lake Boyd said, "This should never happen."

More Patch Coverage

• Hate Crime, Other Felony Charges Filed Against 4 Suspects
• 4 Arrested in Binding, Torturing of Mentally Challenged Man: Police
• Alleged Facebook Torture-Attack Video 'Sickening,' CPD Superintendent Says
• 2nd Video Surfaces in Facebook Torture-Kidnapping Case

President Barack Obama also commented about the Facebook video Thursday while talking with Chicago TV reporters. Interviewed by Jay Levine of CBS 2, the outgoing president called the actions "despicable," but he didn't see it as a sign of decaying race relations.

"What we have seen as surfacing, I think, are a lot of problems that have been there a long time," Obama said in the interview."

"The good news is that the next generation that’s coming behind us … have smarter, better, more thoughtful attitudes about race," he added. "I think the overall trajectory of race relations in this country is actually very positive. It doesn’t mean that all racial problems have gone away. It means that we have the capacity to get better."

Footage from a second video that has surfaced in the case alleging a mentally disabled man was kidnapped and tormented by several young African-American adults. (Screenshot via YouTube video)

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