Terry Lenamon fought long and hard to get QEEG Brain Mapping introduced as evidence in the death penalty trial of Grady Nelson last fall. The QEEG evidence was introduced. The judge sentenced Grady Nelson not to a sentence of death, but instead to life imprisonment.
That was almost a year ago, and now QEEG evidence is being fought for by another death penalty defendant, Huberto Delgado, here in Florida.
Over in Tampa, Florida Public Defender Julie Holt is pushing for the introduction of QEEG brain-mapping tests as part of her defense of Humberto Delgado, who is facing the death penalty for the alleged shooting death of Tampa Police Officer Mike Roberts.
The prosecution is fighting hard against the introduction of the QEEG evidence and expert testimony has been presented by both sides as to whether or not the QEEG testing and analysis should become evidence at trial. Trial is set to begin October 31, 2011. The judge has not yet ruled on the QEEG evidence in the Delgado trial.
What is QEEG?
QEEG is different than other brain imaging tools. Past scientific attempts to understand the brain were done via things like x-rays, CAT scans (Computerized Axial Tomography scans) or MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) — each dealing more with the structure of the brain than how it was operating at any given juncture.
Sensors are being placed upon the scalp which read electrical neuron activity under certain conditions (eyes closed, open, etc.). Result? QEEG, with expert analysis, gives information on exactly how well, or how lacking, a particular person’s brain is capable of functioning.