The man accused of killing Sheridan Gorman has lost part of his brain and a “developing child,” her lawyer said in court, as the case in the death of a Chicago college student continues.Jose Medina Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, appeared before a judge in Chicago on Friday, where he was ordered held without bail. His defense attorney, Julie Koehler, said he suffered cognitive impairment after being shot in the head.“Today he has the brain development of a child,” Kohler told the court, adding that he was missing part of his brain. She said the injury occurred during a robbery in Colombia, where Medina was living with his mother after the family fled there in 2016.
According to the defense, the injury forced him to relearn basic functions such as walking and talking. The attorney’s statements suggest the defense may pursue an insanity argument as the case progresses.The hearing was held with Medina, an undocumented immigrant, who appeared by video from a hospital room inside the Cook County Jail. He wore a surgical mask after testing positive for tuberculosis and listened through a Spanish translator.
His lawyer also requested medical treatment for his epilepsy and asked him to remain in the prison health facility to avoid deportation proceedings.Prosecutors gave a completely different account of the events surrounding 18-year-old Gorman’s death. They told the court that on March 19, Medina left his apartment near Toby Prinz Beach wearing a ski mask. Gorman and five friends were on the sidewalk trying to see the northern lights when the attack happened.According to prosecutors, Gorman noticed someone hiding nearby and calmly warned her friends. As the group was trying to get away, Medina allegedly came out of hiding and fired a single shot, hitting her in the back while the others sought cover.He reportedly walked around the sidewalk before leaving. The group later finds Gorman unconscious.Medina was identified after his mother recognized him in surveillance footage, police said. He entered the United States in 2023 and was previously arrested for shoplifting.He now faces charges including first-degree murder and weapons offenses. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15.