The Venezuelan illegal immigrant accused of murdering Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman is missing a part of his brain and has the “development of a child,” his lawyer said in court Friday.
Jose Medina-Medina, 25, was held without bail by Chicago Judge D’Anthony Thedford after his defense attorney argued he’s cognitively challenged from a previous gunshot wound to the head, according to reports by Chicago Sun Times writer David Struett on X.
Medina-Medina was shot in the head during a robbery when he was living with his mom in Colombia, where they fled in 2016 after the mother was allegedly raped by a government official, his defense attorney, Julie Koehler said.
The injury left Medina-Medina with a part of his brain missing and forced him to have to relearn basic functions like walking and talking, the defense attorney claimed.
“Today he has the brain development of a child,” Koehler told the judge.
Koehler’s comments could suggest they will seek an insanity defense.
After Thedford ordered Medina-Medina to be held without bail until trial, Koehler asked that he be treated for epilepsy and tuberculosis.
Medina-Medina had to appear for the hearing by video from a hospital room, wearing a surgical mask since he’s positive for the highly contagious bacterial lung infection. He listened with the help of a Spanish translator.
He’s being treated at the health facility inside the Cook County Jail, where his lawyer asked he remain so that immigration officials don’t arrest and deport him.
Relatives of Gorman, 18, also appeared by video for the hearing.
Prosecutors in court Friday claimed Medina-Medina left his apartment near the Tobey Prinz Beach in a ski mask and killed Gorman on March 19.
Gorman — a freshman and a native of Westchester, New York — and five friends were on a Chicago pier to spot the northern lights.
The friends were snapping selfies when Medina-Medina jumped out from a hiding spot, the prosecutor alleged.
Gorman, who had spotted someone in the shadows, whispered to tell the group someone was lurking, the prosecutor claimed.
The group dispersed and Medina-Medina fired once, hitting Gorman in the back as the pals hid in the grass and behind a concrete barrier, the prosecutor argued.
Medina-Medina then paced around the pier before leaving the area, when the friends came out of their hiding spots and found Gorman unconscious, the prosecutor alleged.
He was arrested after his mom helped to identify him from surveillance video.
Medina-Medina was let into the country by Border Patrol in 2023. He has a prior arrest for shoplifting but was released from jail because of the Windy City’s sanctuary laws.
Medina-Medina is charged with first-degree murder, weapons charges and related crimes. He is due back in court on April 15.
“This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence that took the life of young woman with her entire future ahead of her and leaves a resounding impact on her friends who witnessed this terrifying shooting,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. “Our thoughts are with Sheridan’s family, her friends, and the Loyola University community as they grieve this profound loss.”
“Our office is committed to seeking justice for Sheridan and holding the defendant fully accountable as we prosecute this case to the fullest extent,” O’Neill Burke said in the statement.
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