The Venezuelan national accused in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman appeared before a Cook County judge Monday from a hospital bed after reportedly suffering a seizure, his defense attorney told the court.
Jose Medina-Medina, who is charged with murder in Gorman’s death and has been described by authorities as being in the country illegally, did not attend the hearing in person. Instead, he participated by Zoom from a local hospital, where his lawyer said he was admitted following a seizure over the weekend.
The judge directed Medina to appear in court in person at his next scheduled hearing, provided he is medically able to do so.
Medina’s defense team has repeatedly pointed to his medical history, arguing that he has experienced seizures and other complications linked to a 2018 shooting in Colombia, where they say he sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Jose Medina-Medina shows his head injury in a jail picture. (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)
During Monday’s hearing, Medina’s attorney said the defense is still seeking more details about his medical condition before determining what pretrial motions it may pursue.
Prosecutors, however, told the court the murder case is continuing to move forward.
The state said it has provided the defense with several additional items of evidence, including most of the DNA testing completed on the firearm recovered at the scene. Trace evidence analysis remains pending, prosecutors said, and they may seek further DNA testing depending on those findings.
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)
Medina has remained behind bars since his March arrest and has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
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.
