20-year-old’s murder trial pushed to July. He’s accused of beating man on Northgate Mile

IDAHO FALLS — Robert Lange’s murder trial has been moved, after the 20-year-old waived his right to a speedy trial.

Lange was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly beat up 50-year-old Alejandro Paredes-Hurtado, leading to his death.

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Lange’s trial was scheduled to start on Monday. According to court records, his attorney asked District Judge Joel E. Tingey to vacate the proceeding and set the case out later this year to allow for mediation.

Lange is now scheduled for a pre-trial conference at 9:30 a.m. on July 8 and a jury trial at 10 a.m. on July 21.

The trial stems from an alleged attack that occurred on Oct. 19. Police were called to Northgate Mile near May Street where they found a man with significant injuries.

The man, later identified as Paredes-Hurtado, died from his injuries several days later, after being taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.

On Oct. 21, the Idaho Falls Police Department released a dashcam video from the night of the assault. It showed Paredes-Hurtado being found unconscious and a person of interest walking away from the scene.

Lange turned himself in on Oct. 22 to IFPD. During an interview with detectives, told them he had been out drinking but was “mad and wanted to fight.”

Court documents state Lange alleges that Paredes-Hurtado had “come toward him,” so he confronted him and kicked him.

When questioned about the interaction between Lange and Paredes-Hurtado, the 20-year-old told them he had punched the other man “approximately 20 times until he realized (Paredes-Hurtado) was unconscious.”

After the fight, Lange told officers he got up and walked home and that Paredes-Hurtado never hit him.