Serial killer suspect Derreck Todd Lee will see heart specialists Thursday as a result of his hospitalization earlier this week.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison sent Lee to the University’s Earl K. Long Medical Center on Tuesday “for an evaluation, testing and a possible procedure,” according to statements released by East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Darrell O’Neal.
Authorities were holding Lee as the suspect in the murders of at least six south Louisiana women. He was scheduled to attend a hearing Thursday to determine the source of funding for his trial and whether evidence should be preserved.
O’Neal said he could not release any further details about Lee’s condition because of security concerns.
But the sheriff’s office confirmed to District Attorney Doug Moreau that Lee was hospitalized for a hereditary heart condition and would see a heart specialist, Moreau said.
Moreau said he is unsure of the exact details of Lee’s medical history, but authorities told him Lee would not be out of prison much longer.
“I’ve been told it’s not a serious matter,” he said. “It’s something that he’s known about for a while.”
However, the hospitalization caused Lee’s attorneys to ask Judge Robert Anderson to postpone his Thursday hearing.
Even though Anderson did reschedule the meeting for Aug. 14, Moreau said he does not expect Lee’s condition will slow the trial process.
“I don’t foresee any problem,” Moreau said. “It’s not uncommon for people to have minor heart problems.”
Lee’s attorney, public defender Mike Mitchell, did not return phone calls before press time.