The mind of a child

John Couey committed a horrible act.

But it was just the most gruesome chapter in a life marred by abuse, neglect, mental illness and even brain injury, Defense Attorney Alan Fanter told jurors in his opening statements.

"Nothing's going to undo what happened to Jessica," he said. At this time, members of the jury must assess where to go from here. In doing that, they need to consider how Couey got where he is today, Fanter said.

Couey was born premature to a 16-year-old mother unable to cope with parenthood. His father, an abusive alcoholic, once even pushed the child from a moving vehicle, and the only stable influence in Couey's life was his sister.

"He lived a life you wouldn't want for yourself," Fanter said.

Moreover, Couey suffers from untreated mental illness and has a functioning IQ of 64, he continued.

Sitting here today is a man "48 years old with the mind of a child," Fanter said.

Reporter John Frank has chronicled much of Couey's traumatic past in his article "Early pain set Couey on path of perversion"

Another recent story explores the defense's claims about Couey's mental capabilities: "Which Couey will they sentence?"

-- Elena Lesley