TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Lawyer for a man accused of torturing two teenage girls over the summer argues his client should be assessed for his mental capacity.
Brandon Reyes’ attorney argued in court on Monday January 4 that his client should undergo an independent psychological assessment to determine whether he can be held criminally responsible for the crimes he is accused of committing. WPBN / WGTU Reports.
Reyes, 20, is accused of detaining two teenage sisters, aged 13 and 15, against their will in July, and faces 17 counts in the case, MLive previously reported. He allegedly beat the two girls with a hammer, sexually assaulted the 13-year-old girl at gunpoint and hit the 15-year-old girl with a vehicle, making her back and forth several times. He also allegedly tried to blow the 15-year-old off a bridge.
The charges against Reyes include one count of assault with intent to murder; three counts first degree criminal sexual conduct, which involves penetration; one count of torture; several counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; and criminal firearm. Several of the charges carry life imprisonment.
In the early hours of July 19, the sisters met Reyes – who police described as a family friend – at a construction site on Lafranier Road, police said. He would have assaulted teens with a hammer, then led them to a secluded area on Keystone Road where they stayed until morning. Reyes is accused of threatening the girls with a gun during this time.
At one point, Reyes allowed the 13-year-old to leave; she returned home and told her mother about the incident, police said. The police were then called and a Amber alert for the 15-year-old with a description of Reyes’ vehicle was initiated later.
The vehicle was spotted at a Blair Township business shortly before 10 p.m. that day. A Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Deputy who arrived at the scene recovered the 15 year old girl, who was injured and unconscious, and arrested Reyes.
Reyes is housed at the Grand Traverse County Jail.
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