Two Men Accused in Separate Murders Ruled Competent for Trial in Maryland and Georgia

Two separate cases involving suspects charged with murder have seen rulings on their competency to stand trial. Jonah Poole, one of two individuals accused of killing Maryland business owner Edward Koza in a brutal arson case, has been deemed competent to stand trial. Poole, who was 18 at the time, and co-accused Kylee Dakes face multiple charges including first-degree murder and arson related to the killing and burning of Koza's vehicle. In another case, Matthew Lanz was ruled competent to stand trial for the 2021 murders of Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber, despite testimony from a forensic psychologist about his schizophrenia diagnosis. The judge found Lanz understood the legal process and displayed no active psychosis affecting proceedings, leading to a trial date set for November. Both cases highlight complex legal proceedings involving assessments of mental competence amid serious criminal charges.