A 14-year-old boy accused of killing a classmate in school underwent medical tests Thursday to determine if a brain abnormality has affected his behavior.
Michael Hernandez received a PET scan and other tests at Miami Children's Hospital, said attorneys involved in the case.
A neuropsychologist hired by Hernandez's defense lawyer suspects the teen may have a growth in his brain that could cause violent impulses -- a theory that, if proven true, could give weight to a possible insanity defense. The results of the medical tests probably won't be available until next month, said defense lawyer Richard Rosenbaum.
This month, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Henry Leyte-Vidal rejected defense arguments and found Hernandez competent to stand trial as an adult for the murder of 14-year-old Jaime Gough, who was stabbed to death in a bathroom at Southwood Middle School in February. Leyte-Vidal also set Hernandez's trial date for May 9.
Prosecutors also said Thursday that Assistant State Attorney Gail Levine will no longer be part of the team handling the case. Levine said in a phone interview that she was too busy with other upcoming cases. Assistant State Attorney Sally Weintraub will join lead prosecutor Carin Kahgan.
