A Round Lake man accused of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly killing a 16-year-old Allendale resident through the use of a chokehold pleaded not guilty to the charges against him Tuesday in Lake County Circuit Court.
James Davis, 37, a former employee of the Allendale Association in Lake Villa, has been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice in connection with the March 30 death of Shaquan Allen of Chicago.
Judge Daniel Shanes told Davis during his arraignment Tuesday that the charges are based on allegations that he “unintentionally killed an individual” by performing an action — in this case pushing his arm or hand against the victim’s neck — that was likely to “cause death or great bodily harm.”
Shanes said Davis was also charged with obstruction of justice for throwing water on and near Allen’s body, which authorities said was done by Davis and a second defendant, Justin Serak, 27, of Grafton, Wis., to make it appear as if Allen’s injuries resulted from a fall on a slippery floor.
Defense attorney Kevin Malia requested an initial July trial date and also asked for a new bond review hearing, saying that the defense has “new information” it considers relevant to the bail that has been set for Davis.
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Bail was initially set at $1 million for Davis, and was subsequently reduced to $500,000 at an earlier hearing. He remains in custody of the Lake County Jail on that amount.
Shanes set a July 18 trial date and a May 24 case-management hearing, at which time the bail issue could be addressed.
Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim has said that Davis put a “chokehold” on Allen that killed the teen during a struggle March 30.
Serak was charged with obstructing justice for collaborating on the false story about Allen being injured after slipping on water, Nerheim said. Serak was released after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail the day after his arrest. His next court date is May 12.
Nerheim said the 16-year-old Allen was having a behavioral episode on the evening of March 30 when Davis and Serak each took an arm and tried to escort him back to his bedroom. Allen became combative, prompting Serak to grab his legs while Davis took control of his upper body and “put him in a chokehold.”
When Allen became unresponsive and was placed on the floor, Nerheim said the two employees agreed to a story that Allen had knocked over a cup of water, slipped and fell.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has monitored Allendale Association since the incident to evaluate the safety and well-being of the 53 juvenile state wards there, according to agency spokeswoman Veronica Resa.
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