Accused killer Martin Ehrke pleaded not guilty on Monday to the first degree murder of two Colusa women at his family farm in Arbuckle.
Ehrke’s Public Defender Brandon Williams asked for the setting of trial to be delayed until January to allow for his client to see his physician one more time.
According to testimony at a preliminary hearing last month, Ehrke admitted to law enforcement the day of the killing that he struck and killed Jessica Lynn Mazak, 25, with a large rock in a fit of anger and rage, as she walked her dog on the isolated Hillgate Road ranch belonging to the Ehrke family nearly five years ago.
Ehrke allegedly confessed to similarly killing Kimberly Lynn Taylor, 39, as she slept.
Both women died of blunt force trauma to the head, according to the coroner.
Ehrke again waived the statutory time for trial. His mental health has played a significant role in delaying proceedings since the 2018 homicide. Ehrke spent a lengthy commitment in the state mental hospital before being found fit to stand trial and aid in his defense.
Ehrke, who was returned to the Colusa County Jail in March, is scheduled to appear in Colusa County Superior Court at 8:30 AM on Jan. 4 for the purpose of setting the date for trial. ■