Illegal immigrant accused of murdering college student dials into hearing from hospital bed
Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national charged with Gorman's murder, did not appear in person for a hearing before a Cook County judge. Instead, he joined the proceedings remotely via Zoom from a local hospital, where his attorney said he was admitted after experiencing a seizure over the weekend.
The judge ordered Medina to appear in person at his next court hearing if he is physically able.
Defense attorneys have repeatedly argued that Medina has suffered seizures and other health issues stemming from a 2018 shooting in Colombia, where they say he was shot in the head.
TEENS SUSPECTED OF MURDERING CONGRESSIONAL INTERN LINKED BY DNA ON SHELL CASINGS, PROSECUTORS SAY
Jose Medina-Medina shows his head injury in a jail picture. (Cook County Sheriff's Office)
On Monday, Medina's attorney told the judge the defense is still waiting for additional information about his medical condition before deciding which pretrial motions it may file.
Meanwhile, prosecutors said the murder case continues to progress.
They told the court they have turned over several additional pieces of evidence to the defense, including most of the DNA testing completed on the firearm recovered at the scene. Trace evidence testing is still underway, and prosecutors said they may request additional DNA analysis depending on those results.
GIANNO CALDWELL: FOUR YEARS AFTER MY BROTHER’S MURDER, I’M MARCHING FOR JUSTICE
Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman poses with the school’s mascot during a campus event in an undated photo. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
Prosecutors also said they've turned over more evidence in the separate case accusing Medina of possessing a homemade shank while in custody. They are still waiting for subpoenaed body-camera video and hospital surveillance video to be added to the case.
The case was continued until Sept. 3 for another status hearing.
Sheridan Gorman's family did not attend Monday's hearing.
Madelon, Jess and Tom Gorman, family members of Sheridan Gorman, appeared on "The Story" to discuss the death of their daughter and sister. ("The Story"/Fox News)
MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COLLEGE STUDENT FATALLY SHOT CHASING ROBBERS WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE HIS PHONE
Medina has remained behind bars since his March arrest and has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University freshman, was fatally shot in March while walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Authorities allege Medina opened fire during the incident, killing the college student.
Fox News' Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
-->Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/us/illegal-immigrant-accused-murdering-college-student-dials-hearing-from-hospital-bed