Man Accused Of Killing Friend, Hiding Body In Closet
CHICAGO (STMW) - A South Side man accused of fatally stabbing his friend and then hiding the body in a closet was ordered held without bail Sunday.
Bednago Harper, 48, stabbed Jermaine Reynolds, 39, about 50 times on November 4th with an awl — a wood carving tool that resembles an ice pick — because Harper believed his friend took his unemployment card, according to Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Sheri Bennet.
Several of the wounds punctured Reynolds' skull and brain, said Bennet.
Harper took Reynolds' cell phone and keys, dragged his body into a closet at his home in the 4000 block of South Lake Park Avenue and then covered it with sheets, Bennet said.
Three days later, police were called to the building after two painters noticed a foul smell coming from the apartment.
Reynolds, who lived in the 1800 block of South Drake, was friends with Harper and often sold him crack cocaine, said Bennet.
Harper, who discussed the murder with a friend, was arrested Wednesday and has spent time in prison on two prior burglary charges, according to prosecutors.
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