Chesapeake, Va. - A Chesapeake teen accused of killing her mother was denied bond on Wednesday morning.
19-year-old Rachel Hutson's attorney argued his client has a history of mental illness that has gone undiagnosed for years.
He asked that the judge consider home confinement or releasing her to an inpatient psychiatric institution.
The defense says Hutson needs daily access to professional treatment, but wouldn’t say what type of mental illness the teen suffers from.
"That's something we'll be looking into and hopefully getting her help for in the future,” Defense Attorney, Erik Porcaro, told NewsChannel 3.
Hutson is charged with first-degree murder. Police say she shot and killed her mother, 58-year-old Susan Hutson, the day after Thanksgiving.
Investigators told NewsChannel 3 they found Hutson's mother dead in their home on Osborne Avenue. They have not said what may have led up to the deadly shooting.
Wednesday's bond hearing mainly focused on Hutson's need for professional treatment.
Right now, her attorney says, jail staff have put her on anti-depressants.
But, he says he wants to move the case along and quickly get her evaluated. However, he delayed that process by asking the judge to hold off on ordering a psychological evaluation.
"That's a lengthy process and we want to make sure that when we do it, we do it right and that our client has a qualified representative evaluating her," said Porcaro.
The Commonwealth argued that she is a danger to herself and the community.
Hutson graduated from Indian River High School last year. Police say she had been living with her family at their Osborne Avenue home. According to court documents, the teen doesn't have a criminal record.
Hutson's next court date is set for January 28th at 1:00 p.m. The judge says the possibility of bond can be reviewed again then. It's also when Hutson's trial date will be set.
