WA - Kyle Martz, 35, dismembered with ax, Walla Walla, 8 July 2019 *Arrest*

[PastTense]

"Pendleton police officers had no idea who Colby James Hedman was when they arrested him June 5 for misdemeanors. Maybe no one did. Now Hedman, 23, suspected of killing and dismembering a Whitman College employee on Monday, has been charged with first-degree murder.

Court documents released Tuesday state Hedman admitted to police he struck Kyle J. Martz, 35, with an ax multiple times before stealing his car and fleeing to Baker City, where he was arrested Monday night.

No motive for the killing was provided in the report. Police also reported Hedman and Martz did not know each other.

Police said they found two coolers Monday in a locked garage. The lock had not been on the garage earlier, according to reports. A square shovel, hammer and ax with blood on them were found nearby. Blood and dismembered human remains were found in one of the coolers, records stated."
Court documents say victim dismembered

What could the motive be?

I'm sure you have all heard about the lack of neighborliness anymore--but here Martz's neighbors helpfully loaned Hedman the ax and shovel.

Other articles:

Community mourns, remembers Kyle Martz

‘We need a thousand Kyles’

Murder suspect was out of jail due to overcrowding

WW homicide victim was Whitman College advisor

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Colby J. Hedman, 23, of no known address, appeared in Walla Walla County Superior Court to make a plea, but defense and prosecuting attorneys said they were awaiting a competency evaluation from Eastern State Hospital, which likely will take weeks.

After the first evaluation is made, a hearing will be scheduled to see if Hedman is able to become mentally stable with medication or by other means, according to Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Morales. If Hedman still doesn’t appear competent, she said another hearing may be scheduled for the same purpose, after which he may or may not be deemed competent to stand trial. If he is deemed competent, he will be scheduled for arraignment.

Hedman’s first appearance in Walla Walla was last week, with bail continued at $1 million. He had been returned from Baker County, Ore., after he waived extradition.
Murder suspect’s competency in question