The man accused of killing Sheridan Gorman is missing part of his brain and the “development of a child”, his lawyer told a court, as the case over the death of a university student in Chicago continues to unfold.
Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, appeared before a Chicago judge on Friday, where he was ordered to be held without bail. His defence lawyer, Julie Koehler, argued that he suffers from cognitive impairment following a gunshot wound to the head.
“Today he has the brain development of a child,” Koehler told the court, adding that he is missing a portion of his brain. She said the injury occurred during a robbery in Colombia, where Medina-Medina had been living with his mother after the family fled there in 2016.
According to the defence, the injury forced him to relearn basic functions such as walking and speaking. The lawyer’s remarks suggest the defence may pursue an insanity argument as the case moves forward.
The hearing was conducted with Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant, appearing by video from a hospital room inside Cook County Jail. He wore a surgical mask after testing positive for tuberculosis and listened through a Spanish interpreter.
His lawyer also requested medical treatment for epilepsy and asked that he remain in the jail’s health facility to avoid deportation proceedings.
Prosecutors outlined a very different account of events surrounding the death of 18-year-old Gorman.
They told the court that on March 19, Medina-Medina left his apartment near Tobey Prinz Beach wearing a ski mask. Gorman and five friends were on a pier attempting to see the northern lights when the attack allegedly took place.
According to prosecutors, Gorman noticed someone hiding nearby and quietly warned her friends. As the group tried to move away, Medina-Medina allegedly emerged from hiding and fired a single shot, striking her in the back while others sought cover.
He then reportedly walked around the pier before leaving. The group later found Gorman unconscious.
Police said Medina-Medina was identified after his mother recognised him in surveillance footage. He had entered the US in 2023 and had a prior arrest for shoplifting.
He now faces charges including first-degree murder and weapons offences. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15.
