Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The latest on the case of a teen accused of killing his parents and three siblings in New Mexico (all times local):
4:15 p.m.
A psychiatrist has testified that a New Mexico teenager appeared "detached" and "matter of fact" when he described killing his parents and three younger siblings.
Dr. Kris Mohandie said Monday that he believes Nehemiah Griego has a severe personality disorder.
Mohandie also testified that Griego, now 18, said in an interview that he was abused as a boy and has heard voices since he was about 8 that urged him to act violently.
Prosecutors called Mohandie to testify as an expert witness during a hearing to determine whether Griego should be sentenced as a juvenile or adult.
Griego was 15 when authorities say he fatally shot five family members in January 2013.
He has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
___
12:05 p.m.
A medical expert says a brain scan of a New Mexico teenager who pleaded guilty to killing his parents and three younger siblings doesn't prove he suffered traumatic brain injury or hemorrhaging.
The testimony from Neel Madan, a clinical radiologist and neurologist at Tufts Medical Center, came after a defense attorney argued that Nehemiah Griego was beaten so severely by his father that he likely suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Madan testified Monday at a hearing to determine whether the 18-year-old Griego should be sentenced as an adult. But Madan cautioned that it isn't possible to completely rule out any diagnosis from the MRI alone — including mental illness or even brain injury.
Authorities say Griego was 15 when he fatally shot his parents and siblings in January 2013.
___
11 a.m.
An attorney for an 18-year-old who pleaded guilty to killing his parents and three younger siblings says he can be rehabilitated and has made progress at a state psychiatric treatment center.
Public defender Stephen Taylor made the opening statement at a hearing Monday to determine whether Nehemiah Griego will be sentenced as an adult.
Authorities say Griego was 15 when he fatally shot his parents and siblings at the family's home south of Albuquerque in January 2013. His father, Greg Griego, was a pastor at one of Albuquerque's largest churches.
Griego's lawyer says he was beaten by his father and the abuse likely caused a traumatic brain injury that affected him.
Prosecutors did not deliver opening statements.
___
9:30 a.m.
A New Mexico teenager charged with killing his parents and three siblings will find out whether he'll be sentenced as an adult.
A Monday hearing is set for 18-year-old Nehemiah Griego, who pleaded guilty in October to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
Authorities say Griego was 15 when he fatally shot his parents and siblings at the family's home south of Albuquerque in January 2013.
His parents, Greg and Sarah Griego, were well-known locally for their ministry work with inmates. Greg Griego also was a pastor at one of Albuquerque's largest churches.
Nehemiah Griego's attorney says the 18-year-old's sentencing terms could range from probation to three life sentences plus 30 years if he's sentenced as an adult.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
