Round Lake Park man will testify against wife in drug death case
A Round Lake Park man pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in connection with the drug overdose death of his sister-in-law and agreed to testify against his own wife in the case.
Charles Best, 37, pleaded guilty to concealment of a homicidal death during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge George Bridges.
As part of a negotiation between Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Demartini and Waukegan defense attorney John Murphy, Best agreed to testify against his wife, Sherry Best, who is accused of administering a fatal dose of heroin to Melissa Best, 34.
Police said Melissa Best, who was reported missing by her husband on April 16, had gone the day before to an extended stay motel in Waukegan where Charles and Sherry Best were living.
While Charles Best was at work on April 15, police said Sherry Best administered injections of heroin to herself and Melissa Best.
According to a statement Charles Best gave police after his arrest, Melissa Best was already dead by the time he arrived home from work.
Police said Charles Best told them he and his wife carried Melissa Best's body to her van that was parked outside the extended stay motel.
Charles Best then drove the van to an apartment complex in Grayslake, where he left it in the parking lot and returned to Waukegan in a car driven by Sherry Best.
Melissa Best's body was discovered April 25, and Charles and Sherry Best were charged May 12.
Bridges placed Charles Best under oath during the hearing, and Best swore he would testify to the facts in the statement he gave police during any legal proceeding against his wife.
Sherry Best is charged with drug-induced homicide, a felony that carries a sentence of up to 60 years in prison, as well as concealment of a homicidal death.
She is held on $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 31.
Charles Best was sentenced to two years on probation, fined $500 and ordered to perform 150 hours of public service.
He could have faced up to five years in prison if convicted after a trial.