McHenry man denies role in teen's 2002 disappearance and murder

A Fox Lake business owner accused in the killing of a Johnsburg teen who vanished more than seven years ago formally denied the charges Friday as his defense attorney filed court papers seeking more details on the case.

Mario Casciaro, 26, pleaded not guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and asked for a jury trial on allegations stemming from the Dec. 20, 2002, disappearance of 17-year-old Brian Carrick from the Johnsburg grocery store where they worked.

The charges claim Casciaro, or someone for whom he was legally accountable, caused Carrick's death during acts of unlawful restraint, intimidation and mob action. Casciaro also is accused of concealment of a homicidal death.

His attorney, William Gibbs, filed a motion Friday for a bill of particulars seeking more specifics from prosecutors on Casciaro's alleged crimes. Among the details he wants are the exact date and time of the murder, what acts of intimidation, unlawful restraint and mob action occurred and the name and address of the person for whom Casciaro was legally accountable.

"I need to know the facts surrounding these offenses," Gibbs said.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said he will review the request before deciding whether to object or comply.

Prosecutors this week turned over to Casciaro's defense much of their evidence in the case, including hundreds of pages of police reports and dozens of witness names.

Among that evidence, documents show, are two videotaped statements from Lake Bluff resident Shane Lamb, a longtime suspect in the disappearance who, according to numerous law enforcement sources, has cut an immunity deal with prosecutors to testify against Casciaro.

According to testimony in a related perjury case against Casciaro, the McHenry man told a friend he asked Lamb to scare Carrick and things got out of hand. Casciaro denied making the statement and was acquitted of perjury.

Casciaro, who has been held at the McHenry County jail on a $5 million bond since his arrest last week, is scheduled to return to court March 19. If found guilty of the murder, he could face between 20 years and life in prison.