In the first preliminary hearing held on Monday Jawaid Bhutto’s attacker was sent back to prison without the possibility of parole.
Wearing an orange jump suit with his hands in handcuffs, defendant Hilman Ray Jordan was brought by US marshals in Judge Lee’s court and asked by the judge if he was prepared to face a preliminary hearing. On the advice of his counsel, he waived the right for a hearing to defend his actions.
Earlier Assistant US attorney Marybeth Manfreda had prepared to show the court the shooting incident in which Jordan was filmed attacking Bhutto. Detective Washington had also come prepared to give evidence from witnesses.
Jordan’s counsel sought mental health treatment for his client, diagnosed as a schizophrenic who engaged in substance abuse. To which the judge remarked “We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Meanwhile Judge Lee said that he was unwilling to allow Jordan back into the community, remarking he could be a danger to other people.
The next date of the hearing has been fixed for September 6, 2019.