JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A third psychiatric exam has been ordered for a 12-year-old Florida boy accused of first-degree homicide in the beating death of his 2-year-old half brother.
Cristian Fernandez was arrested by Jacksonville, Fla. police in March, the day before David Galarraga died of his injuries, the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union reported.
Cristian is the youngest murder defendant in Jacksonville history.
Public Defender Matt Shirk said another psychiatric exam for the boy is standard procedure.
The forensic psychiatrist who will evaluate him is from Rhode Island and specializes in pediatric cases.
"We expect and hope the evaluation is going to say he's a candidate for rehabilitation," Shirk said.
The defense has said that Cristian is a victim himself who suffered both physical and sexual abuse.
His mother Biannela Susana gave birth to Cristian when she was just 12-years-old and both she and her baby were sent into foster care.
Prosecutors said Susana's negligence helped cause her son's death. She has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
