Executive Summary
- Dr. Jennifer Sapia testified that Thompson’s brain injury at age 15 significantly disrupted his development.
- Assessments showed Thompson’s IQ rose from 73 to 91 during his recovery in detention.
- Detention center staff testified that Thompson achieved "gold status" and graduated high school while in custody.
- The sentencing hearing follows Thompson’s guilty plea to five counts of murder for the 2022 Hedingham shooting.
RALEIGH, N.C. — A clinical psychologist testified Thursday regarding the neurological and developmental state of Austin Thompson, the 18-year-old who pleaded guilty to killing five people in the October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood.
According to testimony provided during the sentencing hearing, Dr. Jennifer Sapia, a clinical and forensic psychologist, stated that Thompson’s brain injury at age 15 caused significant disruption to his development. Sapia, who met with Thompson in July 2025, explained that the defendant was required to re-learn basic skills and comprehend his surroundings following the injury. She noted that while assessments showed his IQ rose from 73 at age 16 to 91 during recovery, results indicated he continues to face difficulties processing information.
"He’s a different person than he was at 15, developmentally, age-wise and because of his brain injury," Sapia told the court. She further described Thompson’s mindset as exhibiting "adolescent magical thinking," noting that while he cognitively understands his legal situation, he envisions a future career as a dental hygienist, unable to fully appreciate the reality of a lengthy prison sentence.
Defense attorneys also called witnesses from the juvenile justice system to attest to Thompson’s conduct while incarcerated. Darcie Ross of the Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center testified that Thompson achieved "gold status" within six weeks of his detention due to positive behavior. Additionally, Casey Corey, director of education services for the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, confirmed meeting Thompson at his high school graduation within the facility.
Procedural Implications
This sentencing phase, which follows Thompson’s guilty plea to five counts of murder, highlights the defense strategy of presenting mitigating factors such as neurological impairment and rehabilitation potential. In cases involving juvenile offenders, testimony regarding brain development and conduct during detention is often utilized to argue against the most severe sentencing options, aiming to contextualize the offender’s culpability and capacity for change within the boundaries of North Carolina sentencing guidelines.
