After an attempt Monday to fire his second public defender, time is running out for accused killer Martin Ehrke to enter a new plea or stand trial for the double murder of two Colusa women at his family’s property in Arbuckle.
Ehrke is accused of killing Jessica Lynn Mazak, 25, and Kimberly Lynn Taylor, 39, at his family’s farm on January 25, 2018.
Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson on Monday denied Ehrke’s Marsden motion to discharge his court-appointed Attorney, Brandon Williams.
Williams replaced Public Defender Albert Smith, who Ehrke successfully had removed. Smith had replaced Public Defender Robert Hinely, who represented Ehrke early in the proceedings.
While Thompson denied Ehrke’s request to replace his attorney, the judge asked Williams to closely oversee his client, who Thompson said sent a series of improper communications to the court.
“Ex parte communications tend not to be read,” Thompson said.
According to preliminary testimony, Ehrke confessed to law enforcement that he killed Mazak by striking her in the head with a rock as she walked her dog, before killing Taylor the same way as she slept.
Ehrke, who spent a lengthy stay in a state mental institution, has been found competent to stand trial. He has pleaded not guilty to two first degree murder charges and a special allegation of committing multiple murders.
His trial is set for Aug. 16-19 and Aug. 23-25.
Thompson on Monday set June 6 for trial confirmation, which could be the last opportunity for Ehrke to change his plea. ■