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78 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, April 29, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 14, 2004 Murder suspect evaluated at state hospital By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune The case of an Ashland train enthusiast’s murder 11 years ago will again be in limbo while the suspect is confined to a state mental hospital. Arrested in February for the 1993 murder of Ed Krahel, Walter E. Jaffke has been deemed unable to assist his attorneys in his defense and will be taken to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. Attorneys said Jaffke is not speaking to anyone. Krahel, 44, was found dead on Jan. 25, 1993, in his Meade Street home, which had been set on fire. A former mayoral candidate, Krahel was known in Ashland for his fondness of railroad memorabilia. At the time of his death, Krahel’s property was surrounded by a locomotive, cabooses and box cars that he had restored. Although Krahel’s friends and neighbors wondered if anyone would ever be arrested for his murder, Ashland detectives said they continued to work the case every week, looking at fingerprints and DNA taken from the scene. Yet it was a chance encounter with Jaffke that gave investigators their first big break. Jaffke, 34, was indicted on Feb. 20 for Krahel’s murder after Jackson County authorities discovered he had been arrested near Bakersfield, Calif. Investigators have released little information on the circumstances of his arrest, saying only that a California Highway Patrol officer developed information that Jaffke had been involved with Krahel’s murder. Advertisement Jaffke’s relatives in Southern California had reported him missing. Officers said Jaffke lived in Hemet, Calif., but court documents list a Carlton address for Jaffke. He may have been en route between the two locations, said Beth Heckert, chief deputy district attorney for Jackson County. Jaffke had apparent mental health issues upon his arrest, Heckert said. Jaffke was brought back to Jackson County for prosecution on Feb. 25. He has heard the charges against him in Jackson County Circuit Court but has failed to enter any plea. Heckert said there is no way of knowing how long Jaffke would be in the state hospital’s care. Jaffke faces one count of murder, which carries a life sentence with a 25-year minimum prison sentence. Prosecutors dropped an additional charge of first-degree arson because the statute of limitations for that crime had expired, Heckert said. There is no such limit for prosecuting murder charges. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times