According to police, Vitali A. Davydov, a 19-year-old from North Potomac, admitted to killing prestigious psychiatrist Wayne Stuart Fenton, 53, of Rockville.
Fenton was one of the nation’s foremost authorities on schizophrenia. He served as associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health, where his research focused on helping schizophrenics cope with day-to-day life.
Davydov, who lives on Stonecutter Place in the Dufief Mill Estates development, was being treated for schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.
Police were called to Fenton’s office at 11510 Old Georgetown R. in Bethesda at 4:52 p.m. on Monday when Davydov’s father saw his son emerge from the building with blood on his pants, hands and shirt. Davydov’s father had driven him to the 4 p.m. appointment, which was arranged that day after a referral from the suspect’s regular doctor.
Davydov arranged the appointment to discuss his medications. Davydov’s father told police that a conversation earlier that day about his son’s medication need to continue taking medicine “caused an angry reaction.”
According to the charging documents, Fenton told Davydov’s father prior to the appointment that he would like Davydov to accept an injection of the medication rather than take it orally. During the meeting, Davydov “became agitated and beat Dr. Fenton with his fists,” according to the charging documents.
Police found Fenton on the ground bleeding from his face. Fire and rescue workers responded to the scene and declared him dead.
Davydov fled the scene but was apprehended near Luxmanor Elementary School in Rockville. He is being charged with first-degree murder.
Davydov’s attorney is Barry H. Helfand, who represented Davydov in a 2005 arrest for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The case was dropped in June after a psychiatrist found Davydov incapable of appearing in court.
Helfand also represents Thomas W. Ashley III, one of five Whitman High students who were indicted last spring for armed robbery of a Smoothie King in Bethesda.