CENTERVILLE -- An upscale neighborhood is caught up in a whirlwind of controversy as police investigate a case they're calling the most unusual they've ever seen. It involves a strange business relationship between two men that ended in violence.
Centerville police say the two 28-year-old men have been friends for about a decade, but their relationship turned into one involving a lot of discipline a few years ago. The suspect reportedly crossed the line at one point because he was behind bars Wednesday night for felonious assault and kidnapping.
In the quiet Centerville neighborhood where the alleged attacks happened, it's not unusual for residents to hire guys to help out with landscaping. Police say that's exactly how the so-called business relationship began between Bryon Mansley II and the other man.
"It evolved into doing chores around the house, working in mulch beds, and then it evolved into the whole discipline and the assaults," said Centerville Police Officer John Davis.
Neighbors say Mansley lives in the Leeds Circle home with his parents. Neighbors have seen the alleged victim working in the yard, but say nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. However, according to police, behind closed doors it was a different story. Investigators say Mansley repeatedly beat the victim, at least once with a metal tube. Sometimes he even broke the victim's bones and held him against his will, all because the victim didn't meet the expectations of the agreement.
"I've been doing this 23 years and I've never seen a case like this. It's unusual to the point that it's kind of hard to believe at first," Davis said.
But police say the unbelievable tale is true. The victim finally reported everything after the last alleged beating a few weeks ago.
"He was basically in fear for what was going to happen next and he still remains now fearful of what happens next," said Davis.
Mansley will remain in the Montgomery County Jail on $75,000 bond while he waits for the case to go before a grand jury. He could face additional charges.
Centerville police say the two 28-year-old men have been friends for about a decade, but their relationship turned into one involving a lot of discipline a few years ago. The suspect reportedly crossed the line at one point because he was behind bars Wednesday night for felonious assault and kidnapping.
In the quiet Centerville neighborhood where the alleged attacks happened, it's not unusual for residents to hire guys to help out with landscaping. Police say that's exactly how the so-called business relationship began between Bryon Mansley II and the other man.
"It evolved into doing chores around the house, working in mulch beds, and then it evolved into the whole discipline and the assaults," said Centerville Police Officer John Davis.
Neighbors say Mansley lives in the Leeds Circle home with his parents. Neighbors have seen the alleged victim working in the yard, but say nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. However, according to police, behind closed doors it was a different story. Investigators say Mansley repeatedly beat the victim, at least once with a metal tube. Sometimes he even broke the victim's bones and held him against his will, all because the victim didn't meet the expectations of the agreement.
"I've been doing this 23 years and I've never seen a case like this. It's unusual to the point that it's kind of hard to believe at first," Davis said.
But police say the unbelievable tale is true. The victim finally reported everything after the last alleged beating a few weeks ago.
"He was basically in fear for what was going to happen next and he still remains now fearful of what happens next," said Davis.
Mansley will remain in the Montgomery County Jail on $75,000 bond while he waits for the case to go before a grand jury. He could face additional charges.
