Attorney: Alcohol, depression may have set off Lisle volleyball parent
A Lisle man accused of threatening to kill his daughters’ volleyball coach may have been under the influence of alcohol and suffering from depression at the time, his attorney said.
John Kasik, 61, of the 4400 block of Arbor View Drive, formally pleaded not guilty Monday to telephone harassment, aggravated battery and disorderly conduct.
Kasik is accused of making threats in text and voice messages against a Lisle High School coach who benched one of his daughters at an Oct. 26 regional match and replaced her with her sister. The next day, Kasik went to the school and battered Athletic Director Dan Dillard by “bumping” him with his body, prosecutors said.
In court Monday, DuPage County Judge John Kinsella agreed to temporarily remove Kasik’s electronic-monitoring anklet so he can receive an MRI and other testing.
Defense attorney Joseph DiNatale said Kasik suffers from depression and may have been under the influence of alcohol. He described his client — a former boys volleyball coach at Oak Park and River Forest High School — as “overly protective” of the daughter who was benched.
“The purpose of these tests is to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” DiNatale said. “It appears to be a onetime thing — an overwrought dad with some psychological issues looking out for his daughter. He knows it shouldn’t have happened.”
The Lisle team continues to treat Kasik’s daughters well, DiNatale said.
“As far as I know, the girls and their coach are getting along great,” he said.
Kasik has no prior criminal history and remained free Monday on a $30,000 bond.