Accused Shooter Mentally Retarded, Attorney Says

From The Braddock Times

BRADDOCK,TX -- A judge on Thursday delayed a capital murder trial after learning a psychiatrist thinks the young man accused of pulling the trigger is mentally retarded. Judge William J. Jennings planned to begin jury selection in late October for a murder trial against Letravis Gorman. Prosecutor John Bonkey is seeking the death penalty.

Police arrested Gorman in May 2006 in connection with the death of Jaime Juarez "Pico" Delgado, 32, of Solie. Police believe Gorman was hitch hiking in Duke's car during a road rage incident, and that he shot Delgado in the back of the head. Defense attorney Paul Qualms of the Texas Public Defender Commission raised the issue of mental retardation in a Friday hearing. The judge granted Austin's request to vacate the trial date, and he set the next hearing for Oct. 29. This allows time for Dr. Ricardo Weinstein to submit his report. Weinstein began evaluating Gorman on Tuesday in the Braddock County Public Library. Austin said Tuesday's evaluation indicated one of several requirements for showing mental retardation, which include an intelligence quotient of 65 or below.

Gorman's attorney, Paul Qualms of Dallas, said he couldn't comment on his client's involvement. The shooting of Delgado, an illegal alien from Mexico and alleged drug smuggler, took place May 6, 2006. Delgado died after being shot in the back of the head while riding as a passenger in a car headed north on Mosby Ave in Braddock. Police said Delgado was driving his own vehicle and they believe Gorman shot Delgado after a road rage confrontation. Gorman was taken into custody the same evening at a gas station in Braddock and has since been released to the care of the Braddock County Public Library and Tony Fanuci.