Murder suspect deemed fit to stand trial following evaluation

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Kyle Jarstad, one of the three Olympia men accused in the slaying of 31-year-old Shaun Moore, was declared fit to stand trial after his case was put on hold pending a competency evaluation.

Jarstad’s defense counsel was unsure whether Jarstad fully comprehended the situation he was in, or the seriousness of the charges against him, which include second-degree murder. On Feb. 22, Jarstad was subject to a forensic evaluation by a mental health professional, covering everything from his medical history to the criminal proceeding process.

“Overall, Mr. Jarstad demonstrated adequate factual knowledge of court procedures and the roles of various courtroom participants. He was aware of the adversarial nature of the criminal proceedings. He knew that criminal charges have varying levels of seriousness and that he had felony charges,” reads an evaluation written by Michelle Hart, outstation forensic evaluator with Western State Hospital. “…Therefore, it is my opinion that Mr. Jarstad has the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings and the capacity to assist in his defense.”

Following the filing of Hart’s report, a brief competency hearing was held this morning, where Jarstad’s attorney, Kevin Griffin, said he and prosecutors on the case agreed to accept the results and move forward with the case. The case had been moved from “active” to “on discretionary review” pending the results of Hart’s report.

As of today, Jarstad is scheduled to have an omnibus hearing on March 31, a trial confirmation hearing on June 17 and a jury trial to begin on June 28. Griffin noted Jarstad “respectfully objected” to that timeline, however, saying his client wanted the matter resolved sooner than that. However, Griffin added, there were “complicating factors” involved in the case that will require the extended timeline to properly build a defense.

Judge John Skinder, after hearing Griffin’s comment, asked Jarstad — who appeared at the hearing via Zoom from the Thurston County Jail — if he had any comments on the schedule.

“If he needs that time, he needs that time,” Jarstad said of his attorney, saying he understood the timeline but wished it could move faster.

In addition to murder, Jarstad is charged with unlawful disposal of human remains and tampering with evidence. He’s charged along with Jonathan Carroway and Joseph Laursen in Moore’s death — whose body was found Sept. 15 near railroad tracks off Plum Street and Union Avenue

After a series of interviews with suspects, Olympia Police Department detectives believe the trio beat Moore in their apartment on a number of occasions and over an extended period of time, resulting in Moore’s death.

In an interview with detectives, Jarstad repeatedly spoke ill of Moore, saying he took food from the group of six that were living together in an Olympia apartment.

“And you’re sitting there treating it … uh, like he is the victim. We are the victims,” said Jarstad, according to a transcript of an interview with detectives.

He’s been in the Thurston County Jail since Dec. 17, which was when questions of his competency were first brought up.

“Defense counsel has met and attempted to discuss this case with Mr. Jarstad on multiple occasions. It is the defense opinion that this gentleman likely has a mental health disorder which is impacting his ability to rationally understand the proceedings or assist in his own representation,” reads a note from the Thurston County Superior Court, in an order for a forensic evaluation. 

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