Norman man was intoxicated after shootings, doctor says

BY JANE GLENN CANNON

Published: February 13, 2010

NORMAN — William Eugene Davis had a blood alcohol level almost four times the legal limit shortly after the three women he is accused of killing were shot to death, a doctor testified Friday.

That level of intoxication would render some people comatose or even kill them, Dr. Ken Pirtle said.

A chronic drinker with a high tolerance for alcohol could still function at that level "and may not appear that impaired,” Pirtle said.

Pirtle testified for the defense Friday in a trial for Davis, accused of killing his sisters — Tami Link, 52, and Sheila Ellis, 54 — and Link’s mother-in-law, Letannah Bishop, 87. The three women were shot to death Sept. 4, 2007, at the Norman home of Tami and Brent Link.

Brent Link, who is blind, testified earlier in the trial he heard the shots that killed the women and followed the smell of alcohol to the front porch where he caught and wrestled with Davis, disarmed him and beat him unconscious.

Davis had fractured bones in his cheek and around his eyes, couldn’t breathe on his own and smelled of alcohol when he got to the Norman Regional Hospital emergency room, Dr. Kenneth Watson testified. Besides alcohol in his blood, Davis had traces of benzodiazepine, a sedative, in his urine, the doctor said.

Defense attorneys Craig Corgan and Lynn Bush contend Davis was so intoxicated he couldn’t have formed an intent to kill anyone.

Prosecutors allege Davis went to the Links’ home intending to kill everyone in the house. They are seeking the death penalty.

In testimony earlier Friday, an ex-wife of Davis said he was capable of drinking a gallon of vodka a day. When he drank, Cheryl Davis said, he could be "in your face” aggressive, but not physically violent.

Dr. Zuorong Lin testified Davis showed up intoxicated for an appointment at a mental health clinic in Norman about a month before the shootings occurred. Davis said he had consumed a half-gallon of vodka that morning, Lin said.

Lin testified Davis refused medical treatment so he called sheriff’s deputies to come get him, but Davis walked away before authorities arrived.

At an Aug. 13 appointment, he again urged Davis to seek medical treatment for alcoholism, but Davis refused, Lin said.

The doctor said he first saw Davis the previous May and diagnosed him with alcohol dependence, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. Lin said Davis voluntarily came to the clinic because he wanted help.