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Horrific Beating Death Video Posted On Facebook, But No One Helped Victim

 Antwan McNutt, 33, is charged with first-degree murder in the November beating death of 41-year-old Charles Johnson.
Antwan McNutt, 33, is charged with first-degree murder in the November beating death of 41-year-old Charles Johnson.
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Chicago Police Department; Facebook

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An Englewood man has been charged with beating a man to death on a crowded South Side street while onlookers filmed videos — and no one stepped in to help.

Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil cocked her head Wednesday as prosecutors laid out their case against accused murderer Antwan McNutt, 33.

"People were taping this," Kuriakos Ciesil asked incredulously, "while this person was committing this horrible act against another human being?"

"Yes, your honor," Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy said.

"Please don't tell me this [was posted] on Facebook, as well," the judge asked.

"It did," Taczy said. 

Kuriakos Ciesil let out a long sigh before denying McNutt bail in the fatal attack, which took place Nov. 28 in the 6300 block of South Ashland Avenue in Englewood.

According to prosecutors, multiple witnesses saw McNutt approach 41-year-old Charles Johnson outside the Ashland Green Line station about 6:30 p.m. before beating him with a 1.75-liter bottle of alcohol.

"The victim's head was bouncing off of the cement with each strike," Taczy said.

McNutt beat Johnson until the man lay motionless, prosecutors said. McNutt is accused of then smashing the liquor bottle and running away.

Prosecutors on Wednesday said there was no clear motive in the murder — but McNutt was spotted pacing near the Green Line station searching for Johnson, who was known to frequent that area, before the attack.

Johnson was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide.

Using both CTA surveillance cameras and footage of the attack that had circulated on Facebook, police were able to identify McNutt as the murder suspect, Taczy said. A warrant was issued Jan. 24, and McNutt was arrested in Wisconsin on May 9.

McNutt, of the 5600 block of South Justine Street, is charged with first-degree murder.

He has prior convictions for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance; attempted aggravated carjacking; possession of a stolen motor vehicle; battery and resisting arrest, prosecutors said.

Assistant Public Defender Brett Balmer said McNutt is an unmarried high school graduate who previously worked in a warehouse and as a painter.