The man accused of murdering Sheridan Gorman is missing a part of his brain and has the “development of a child,” his lawyer told a court, as the case over the death of a university student in Chicago continues to unravel.Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan citizen, appeared before a Chicago judge on Friday, where he was ordered held without bail. His defense attorney, Julie Koehler, argued that he suffered from cognitive impairment after being shot in the head.“Today his brain development has become that of a child,” Koehler told the court. They also said that a part of his brain was missing. He said the injury occurred during a robbery in Colombia, where Medina-Medina was living with his mother after the family fled there in 2016.According to the defense, the injury forced him to re-learn basic functions like walking and speaking. The lawyer’s comments suggest the defense may argue insanity if the case moves forward.The hearing was held with an illegal immigrant named Medina-Medina, who appeared by video from a hospital room inside the Cook County Jail. After testing positive for tuberculosis he wore a surgical mask and listened through a Spanish interpreter. His lawyer also requested medical treatment for epilepsy and asked him to stay in a prison health facility to avoid deportation proceedings.Prosecutors presented a very different account of the events surrounding the death of 18-year-old Gorman. On March 19, Medina-Medina left his apartment near Toby Prinz Beach wearing a ski mask, he told the court. Gorman and five friends were attempting to view the northern lights on a pier when the attack reportedly occurred.According to prosecutors, Gorman noticed someone hiding nearby and quietly warned his friends. As the group tried to move away, Medina-Medina reportedly came out of hiding and fired a single shot, hitting him in the back while the others tried to hide.He then reportedly walked around the pier before leaving. The group later found Gorman unconscious.Police said Medina-Medina was identified after his mother recognized him in surveillance footage. He entered the US in 2023 and was previously arrested for shoplifting.He now faces charges including first-degree murder and weapons crimes. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15.