Sunday, May 4, 2008

Judge: Doctors to examine King's brain


SARASOTA The man accused of kidnapping and murdering Denise Lee will be examined to see if a past head injury has affected his brain function, a judge ruled Friday.

Attorneys for Michael King, 36, said in a motion that the defendant had suffered a head injury and they wanted doctors to do a test known as a PET scan. No date has been set for the test.

Experts say such injuries can change a person's personality and behavior later in life.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for King, who is charged with kidnapping, rape and murder.

Lee, 21, was reported missing from her North Port home on the afternoon of Jan. 17.

Her body was found two days later in a shallow grave six miles from her home. She left behind a husband and two young boys.

A lab has matched King's DNA to DNA found on Lee's body, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.

King is being held in the Sarasota County jail without bail. He attended the brief hearing wearing a yellow jail jumpsuit.

Earlier in the week, authorities released pictures and other documents reletaed to case.
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