ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 The trial for a now-18-year-old accused of shooting eight people, killing two in downtown Orlando on Halloween night, 2024, did not start as planned Thursday.<\/p>\n
Instead, a judge was forced to delay the trial while ordering Jaylen Edgar to get another mental evaluation.<\/p>\n
The order by the judge \u2013 seemingly against the advice of Edgar\u2019s own attorney \u2013 happened after Edgar wrote the court a letter saying he wanted to pursue a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.<\/p>\n
He also rejected the apparent offer of a 50-year plea deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an affirmative defense that oftentimes, unfortunately, jurors don\u2019t buy,\u201d Edgar\u2019s attorney, Junior Barrett, told the judge.<\/p>\n
Edgar disclosed he had already been evaluated once, and the results were inconclusive. A second specialist will be brought in for the new evaluation in early February.<\/p>\n
Edgar\u2019s attorney asked to be let off the case, saying he had ethical concerns if Edgar did not tell the truth on the stand.<\/p>\n
The judge denied that request and reminded Edgar he was represented by a very experienced attorney.<\/p>\n
He also told Edgar that if he tried to use this defense, he would have to prove it.<\/p>\n
A source who was in contact with the families of Timothy Schmidt, Jr. and Tyrek Hill said they were very angry with the delay and looked forward to a second test result that would show Edgar is capable of sitting through trial.<\/p>\n
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