Mental Exam Is Ordered for Suspect

A judge Monday ordered a psychological examination for a teenager arrested in the fatal beating of a homeless man and a second beating that was videotaped by a surveillance camera.

Family members and their lawyers negotiated the surrender Sunday of two suspects, Brian Hooks, 18, and Thomas S. Daugherty, 17, who had fled the state.

They could face murder charges in the death of Norris Gaynor, 45, and aggravated battery charges in the videotaped beating of Jacques Pierre, 58, Fort Lauderdale Police Capt. Michael Gregory said.

A third suspect was arrested late Monday, the Miami Herald reported.

William Ammons, 18, was accused of taking part in one of the attacks. He was scheduled to appear in court today.

At a hearing Monday, Circuit Judge Steven P. DeLuca ordered Daugherty to be held for 21 days in juvenile custody and to undergo a psychological examination. DeLuca denied a request from Daugherty’s lawyer, Jerry Williams, for home detention.

Prosecutors have not decided whether to charge Daugherty as a juvenile or an adult.

A hearing for Hooks, who is being held at Broward County Jail, was delayed until today.

Authorities said they had received more than 100 tips after photos and the video were shown nationwide of the attack on Pierre early Thursday on the Fort Lauderdale campus of Florida Atlantic University. The images showed two males chasing and beating the homeless man with what appeared to be baseball bats. He had been sleeping on a bench.

“The video was critical in getting the word out,” Gregory said.

Gaynor was killed a few blocks from where Pierre was attacked.

He died from severe head injuries, officials said.

In addition, the teens are suspects in the beating of Raymond Perez, 49, authorities said. That case remains under investigation, Gregory said.

All three beatings took place Thursday.