Jun 3, 2008 5:55 pm US/Eastern
Hernandez Case On Hold, Defense Calls New Witness
Trial Delayed Until Sept. 8th
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Nearly one week into jury selection and the murder trial of a Miami teenager charged with stabbing a middle-school classmate to death has been postponed.
Circuit Judge John Schlesinger delayed the case Tuesday after 18-year-old Michael Hernandez' attorney said he was adding expert witness, Vanessa Archer, a psychologist. In earlier court hearings, she testified that the teen is "seriously, mentally ill". In the same ruling, the judge will grant prosecutors more time to conduct more depositions.
Hernandez's attorneys also said in court Tuesday that they plan to file a change of venue request because of the case's publicity.
The trial will resume September 8th.
Hernandez, found to be competent to stand trial, faces life in prison without parole if convicted of killing 14-year-old Jaime Gough in the bathroom of Southwood Middle School in 2004. Gough had more than 40 stab wounds to his neck, face and hands when he was killed. Hernandez, who was also 14 at the time, reportedly confessed to the murder in a videotaped statement. He has since pleaded not guilty due to insanity.
Due to the extensive pre-trial publicity the case has received, Judge Schlesinger has ordered a gag order on the proceedings.
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