MASON CITY, Iowa - The judge has ordered a competency exam for a man accused of killing his grandparents.

After a Monday hearing, Cerro Gordo County District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder found probable cause that Codie Matz of Mason City is suffering from a mental disorder that may prevent him from assisting in his own defense.  The court case against Matz will be suspended and he will undergo a psychiatric evaluation by the State Psychiatrist at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville.

Judge Schroeder ruled that if Matz is found incompetent, he shall undergo treatment until he is fit to stand trial.

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MASON CITY, Iowa – The prosecution will not oppose a psychiatric evaluation for the man accused of killing his grandparents.

25-year-old Codie M. Matz of Mason City is charged with two counts of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Kenneth and Kathleen Hackbart. Mason City police found their bodies on November 7.

On December 4, Matz applied for a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial. His application states that Matz appears to be very confused and suffering from visual hallucinations and paranoid delusions.

On Monday, the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office filed a motion that it will not resist a halt to court action and a psychiatric exam for Matz, paid for by the State of Iowa.

The judge has not yet ruled on his matter.