Jefferson''s body was found Dec. 30, 2006, next to the driveway of 4265 N. 40 th St. in an unincorporated area of Benton County near the Springdale city limits.

The cases against both suspects were suspended pending mental evaluations for the men at Ozark Guidance.

According to documents related to Galdamez''s mental evaluation, it was determined that Galdamez does not have a mental disease or defect. It was also determined that he has the capacity to assist with his defense. On Monday, Circuit Judge David Clinger found Galdamez competent to stand trial. An omnibus hearing in the case is scheduled for 8: 30 a.m. Oct. 11.

Martinez is still awaiting a private mental evaluation that was requested by his attorneys. A mental-status hearing for Martinez is scheduled for Nov. 15.

Steven Hunter, a capital conflicts attorney with the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, was appointed to represent Martinez, along with the Benton County Public Defender''s Office.

Court documents claim Martinez shot Jefferson as Galdamez looked on after the men left a party in Springdale. Jefferson had met Martinez and Galdamez at the party. After stopping the car, Martinez - who held a gun - ordered Jefferson to take off his coat and shirt and to give him the $ 30 Jefferson had offered to pay for gasoline for a ride home, according to the court documents.

The men took the $ 30, a coat and a cap from Jefferson moments before he was shot, court documents state.

Two teenage girls, who were in the car with Jefferson and the two men, told investigators with the Benton County Sheriff''s Office that they saw Martinez shoot the teen.

Martinez denied ever meeting Jefferson and denied any involvement in his death, according to court documents. Galdamez said Martinez told him they were going to get money from Jefferson, according to a probable-cause affidavit in the case. Galdamez saw Jefferson take off his jacket, then heard a shot, the affidavit states.

According to documents concerning Galdamez''s mental evaluation, he denied any involvement in the murder and claimed he did not know it was going to happen.

Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone previously announced his intentions to seek the death penalty for Martinez.

Prosecutors are trying to confirm Galdamez''s actual age in determining whether to seek the death penalty for him.

Marianne Hudson, Galdamez''s attorney, previously gave the court a Salvadoran passport and birth certificate showing Galdamez''s age is 17. His age had been listed as 20 in court documents.

In March 2005, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that it is unconstitutional to sentence anyone to death for a criminal act the person committed while younger than 18.

Martinez and Galdamez are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

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