Man who allegedly attacked Bolingbrook police underwent mental health evaluations

JOLIET – Doctors agree the man who investigators say struck a Bolingbrook cop with a steel pole before he was shot by another officer is mentally ill.

But a psychologist believes Levan C. Davis, 22, could not understand the criminality of his actions, while a psychiatrist thinks Davis was not experiencing delusions during the Aug. 7, 2013 incident.

Davis is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery and faces a bench trial this week before Judge Dave Carlson. His mental state has been the only significant difference in how attorneys for the Will County State's Attorney's office and Will County Public Defender's office have presented the case.

Robert Davis felt threatened the morning his son became agitated over a missing remote control and called police to their home in the 300 block of Walnut Circle. Officers Jason Mitchem and Eli Limacher spoke with Robert Davis in the driveway before Levan Davis opened the garage door.

Instead of complying with police orders, Levan Davis grabbed a hollow 4-foot galvanized pipe and struck Limacher on the head, according to court testimony. Mitchem testified earlier this week he shot Davis twice because he feared for his and Limacher's safety.

Davis spent a week in the hospital and was questioned by police when he was released. A video recording of that interview was played in court Thursday.

Davis told investigators he had physical fights with police before and "didn't want to die."

"Were you trying to kill him," an officer asked Davis during the taped interview.

"No. I was thinking about a getaway," Davis replied.

In court Thursday, Davis fidgeted with his hands and shifted back and forth in his chair throughout the 25 minutes the recording was played for Carlson.

Dr. Randi Zoot, a psychologist, said Davis "believed he heard the police say they were going to shoot him or his father." She has diagnosed him with a psychotic disorder.

"He has a minimal insight into his condition ... doesn't see the need to take medication or how his actions appear to others," Zoot said. Davis was prescribed antipsychotic injections after failing to take oral medication, but had not gotten a shot for three months before the incident.

Dr. Syed Ali, a psychiatrist, reviewed Zoot's report, but said it would not be logical for Davis to open the garage door if he felt threatened by the police officers. Ali believes Davis has bipolar disorder.

"How would you explain his behavior (that morning)?," Assistant Will County State's Attorney Marie Griffin asked.

"Anger," Ali answered.

But Assistant Will County Public Defender Julie Primozic said Davis' mental history shows he becomes deluded when he doesn't take medication. In August 2009, Davis was committed after barricading himself in his bedroom because he believed his parents were impostors trying to poison him, Primozic said.

"He believed Kim Kardashian's stepfather was his stepfather and also his lawyer," Primozic said.

Closing arguments will be held next week.