By: Devin Fry
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A judge has ordered two separate mental health examinations for the man charged in the death of Isadora Wengel.
Court documents filed March 16 show Judge Steven McCullough ordered Joshua Alexander Hite to undergo a competency examination and a criminal responsibility examination at the North Dakota State Hospital.
The competency exam will determine whether Hite is mentally fit to stand trial. Specifically, examiners will assess whether he understands the proceedings against him and can assist in his own defense. That examination must be completed within 15 days of the state hospital receiving the necessary case materials. Results must be filed with the court within 30 days of the exam.
A separate order authorizes a criminal responsibility examination to determine whether Hite lacked the capacity to understand the harmful nature of his alleged actions, or whether he experienced a serious distortion of reality at the time of the crime. The results of that exam will be provided to defense counsel only.
Hite is charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and providing false information to law enforcement in connection with Wengel’s death.
Wengel, 25, was last seen at a Fargo Walmart on Jan. 3, 2026. Her family reported her missing on Jan. 7. Her body has not been recovered.
Hite has a Felony Dispositional Conference set for April 30.
