The man accused in the murder of transgender woman Keisha Jenkins will be evaluated by a medical expert, according to public defenders on the case.
Pedro Redding, 25, has stopped taking medication for an undisclosed ailment during his time in custody at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the defense said at a pre-trial conference May 31.
The next court date is set for July 13.
“By that time, I want the report from [the doctor],” said Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Lillian Ransom.
The defense also said they were still working on completing discovery of the evidence in the case. Defense attorney Geoffrey Kilroy told Ransom in early May that he was missing forensic evidence and police paperwork.
Redding, of the 4500 block of North 13th Street, is charged with murder, conspiracy and robbery in connection with the Oct. 6 fatal shooting of Jenkins, 22. He was denied bail and has been in custody since his arrest.
Jenkins was assaulted by several men in Logan after getting out of a car at 13th and Wingohocking streets around 2:30 a.m. She was shot twice in the back during the attack.
Police do not believe Redding was the shooter, and no further arrests have been made. Police said the motive was robbery and there’s no evidence to indicate Jenkins was targeted for being transgender.