Beach Park Son Will Testify Against Dad in Case of Man's Heroin OD Death

Thanks to a plea deal, a 22-year-old Beach Park man will testify against his dad in the case of the heroin overdose death of a Schaumburg man in January.

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Under the terms of the deal, Mason Spencer pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice Monday and was sentenced to a year of felony probation, 100 hours of community service, random drug testing and drug treatment, the Chicago Tribune reports. He also was sentenced to time served and a year of work-release probation, penalties that will be wiped away so long as Mason Spencer testifies against James Spencer, his 47-year-old father, the report added.

Mason Spencer was facing an involuntary manslaughter and concealment of death charges in the death of Russell Eilrich, 21, who overdosed on heroin Jan. 10 at the Spencers' Beach Park house. The Spencers also are accused of using heroin with Eilrich at that time.

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Authorities claim that when Eilrich started to OD, the Spencers drove him in his car to North Wilson Avenue and West Edgewood Road, leaving him there.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office claims Eilrich could have been saved if 911 had been called, and authorities could've used the opiate-reversal drug Naloxone to help him.

James Spencer is charged with involuntary manslaughter, concealment of death and obstructing justice, all felonies. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of ammunition without a FOID card.

More via the Chicago Tribune

PHOTOS: Mason Spencer, 22; James Spencer, 47. (Lake County Sheriff's Office)