The bond for a Joliet man who was shot by police and charged with aggravated assault was reduced to allow him to receive mental health treatment at a hospital while his case winds its way through court.

On Friday, Judge Dave Carlson reduced the $100,000 bond for Cordairel Whitmore, 29, to $5,000. Whitmore was released from jail after 5 p.m. when he posted the $500 needed for bond.

Whitmore was shot three times by a police officer Jan. 28 on Nicholson Street in Joliet after he pointed an air pistol at an officer, according to the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, the agency investigating the police shooting.

Whitmore was later charged with aggravated assault for placing Joliet Police Officer Brian Lanton “in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery” by displaying a BB gun. Whitmore was taken to jail on Feb. 6 after he was treated for his gunshot wounds at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Carlson had not previously ruled on whether to reduce Whitmore’s bond because he said he was not certain if Whitmore can understand court proceedings and bond violations, or if he can communicate with others in the courtroom.

“I want to make sure he is able to comprehend,” Carlson said at Thursday’s court hearing.

Whitmore’s attorney, Daniel Calandriello, told Carlson that Whitmore suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Tom Slazyk said he reviewed Whitmore’s medical records and they indicate he suffers from psychosis, schizoaffective disorder and he hears voices telling him to not eat and harm himself.

Calandriello argued for Whitmore’s release from the jail, saying his client has no criminal history, that he was shot three times by a police officer in an incident where no one else was injured and that he can comply with Carlson’s conditions for his bond.

“He’s behaving, he’s understanding,” Calandriello said.

Calandriello said Whitmore’s family planned to take him to a hospital after his release from jail and that he can better improve his mental health outside of jail.

Slazyk argued the safest place for Whitmore would be in jail, considering he hears voices telling him to harm himself and that he was involved in an incident where “out of anger” he pulled out what appeared to be a real gun in the presence of police.

“I don’t want that to happen again,” Slayzk said.

Whitmore appeared in person at the courthouse Friday wearing a gray-colored back brace and a red jail uniform that indicates he’s in the facility’s medical unit. He asked for recognizance bond at a past court hearing and told Carlson on Thursday that he wanted out of jail because he was “having trouble breathing.”

“I just want to get out here,” Whitmore said.

Carlson said he had to address the safety of the public and Whitmore’s own safety when making a decision on his bond. He told Whitmore he did not want to put anyone, including him, in a position to get hurt.

Carlson ordered Whitmore to go straight to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, comply with doctors’ orders, take his prescribed medication and not leave until he’s successfully discharged. Will County sheriff’s deputies are expected to take Whitmore to the hospital.

Carlson also ordered Whitmore not to possess any guns, toy guns, knives or anything resembling a weapon.