The defense attorney for the man accused of killing 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun in Argentine Township earlier this month shared chilling details of 24-year-old Brandon Hayes' mental health history in court.
"Just six to eight weeks ago is when he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia," attorney James Piazza told Judge John Conover in Genesee County’s 67th District Court Tuesday.
Piazza says a social worker at a jail where Hayes was lodged in March for domestic violence requested he be admitted for involuntary psychiatric treatment. He was then ordered to receive at least seven days of treatment at a psychiatric hospital where he received the diagnosis.
Piazza says doctors wrote Hayes a prescription when he was released from jail, but he could not afford to fill it. He says someone should have followed up on his condition, given the diagnosis.
Family members of 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun reacted with visible surprise. They say it seems as if there should have been follow-up.
Hayes’ defense attorney agrees.
“He's diagnosed like that, and then just released,” says Piazza. “You know, somebody dropped the ball somewhere."
The defense asked that Hayes be given a forensic exam to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. The prosecution agreed that was necessary.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says the public should know, this evaluation will help make sure a future guilty verdict is not thrown out.
“I think it is in the interest of the justice system, as well as in the interest of justice for Dominick Calhoun that we take necessary steps and make sure everything is covered," said Leyton.
The forensic exam could take up to two months to complete.
