By Bobby Falat
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Defense attorneys for the man charged in connection with the death of Isadora Wengel are asking a judge to postpone his upcoming preliminary hearing.
Court documents filed Monday, March 23, show attorneys for Joshua Alexander Hite filed a motion to continue the preliminary hearing currently scheduled for March 31, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The defense is asking that the hearing be pushed back two terms. A term is typically five weeks.
Hite’s attorneys cited two reasons for the request. They say they are still reviewing a large volume of discovery materials and need more time to have meaningful discussions with Hite about how he wishes to proceed. They also note Hite is currently awaiting mental health evaluations at the North Dakota State Hospital, and say the outcome of those evaluations will directly impact how the case moves forward.
Earlier this month, Judge Steven McCullough ordered Hite to undergo both a competency examination and a criminal responsibility examination at the state hospital. The competency exam will determine whether Hite is mentally fit to stand trial. The criminal responsibility exam will assess whether he lacked the capacity to understand the harmful nature of his alleged actions at the time of the crime.
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 also has a Felony Dispositional Conference set for April 30.
