MMA fighter declared competent for murder trial
A mixed martial arts fighter accused of murder after he ripped out the still-beating heart of his friend and sparring partner was declared mentally competent to stand trial, according to The Times Standard in Eureka, Calif.
On Tuesday, Del Norte County Superior Court judge William Follett heard evaluations from two psychiatrists before determining that Jarrod Gaylen Wyatt is capable of understanding the criminal proceedings against him and of assisting his attorney in mounting his defense. He also set a Sept. 10 trial date.
Wyatt, 27, was arrested at a residence in Klamath, Calif., on March 21, 2010, and was accused of killing Taylor Powell, 21, by ripping his heart from his chest after beating and torturing Powell.
According to court records, police found Wyatt naked and covered in blood. Wyatt told the officers "I killed him," according to the documents, and said he cut out Powell's heart and tongue.
Wyatt had one amateur MMA bout and one professional bout, and he had won them both.
