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Possible defense surfaces in case against Caleb Quick’s accused killer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The teen boy prosecutors say shot and killed Caleb Quick at a Clovis McDonald’s in April returned to court on Thursday.

The hearing was just four minutes long and closed to cameras.

The boy, whom Action News is not naming due to his age, walked in with his hands folded and wore a purple shirt.

His parents sat behind him. Caleb’s father was on the other side of the courtroom.

“I don’t think he realizes the devastation he’s caused for himself and my family,” Stephen Quick told Action News.

He wants the boy – and the girl prosecutors say drove him away in a white Tesla — to be tried as adults. The teens have each denied murder charges.

“We don’t want to put it out there that this is OK behavior for kids to do,” Stephen said.

Prosecutors are now pursuing a high-stakes transfer hearing to move the case to adult criminal court, where the punishment is longer.

The girl’s hearing is set for March. The boy’s is now delayed.

“This is just a huge case, and there’s a lot, a lot of discovery, and so it takes a long time to go through it,” defense attorney Kathy Bird told Action News.

She and co-attorney Mark Coleman are still combing through evidence and have hired a forensic psychologist to interview their client.

They are looking for anything to keep him in the juvenile system and have found a possible defense.

“I believe there were numerous concussions, and we’re delving into that,” Bird said. “There could be some traumatic brain injuries from the concussions.”

“That’s an excuse,” Stephen said. He believes the alleged shooter knew what he was doing as he tracked Caleb for 13 minutes and followed him outside.

“I had a concussion when I was in sixth grade. I turned out OK,” Stephen said. “I never put a gun to someone’s head and pulled the trigger.”

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