Bond Lowered For People Accused In Kidnapping, Beating Of Man

MCCANDLESS (KDKA) — Three people accused in a kidnapping and assault case were in court on Thursday.

The victim, Thomas Markel, says he was kidnapped and beaten by 31-year-ago Joshua Flick and 32-year-old Justin Keller, both of Blair County.

Markel says he was leaving a bar on the North Side on July 23rd when he was hit over the head with a hammer and taken to the McCandless apartment he shared with his girlfriend, 42-year-old Karrie Diaz.

He says the beatings continued for as many as eight days and that he was in and out of consciousness. Markel also testified Diaz was in the apartment. He allegedly heard her say to Keller and Flick: "You are going to have to kill him."

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Markel says after a failed attempt to escape he convinced Keller and Flick to take him to the hospital.

He suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a broken nose. He told officers that he has a $400,000 life insurance policy, and his girlfriend is the beneficiary.

Diaz, Flick and Keller are all charged with kidnapping and attempted homicide. On Thursday, they were held for charges but bond was lowered for Diaz and Keller.

Justin Keller's bond was reduced from $500,000 to $200,000. Diaz's was reduced from $250,000 to $75,000.

Flick's bond was not lowered because he had a prior criminal record.