Man Accused Of Murdering Fort Dodge Pastor Found Fit For Trial

The Fort Dodge man accused of the murder of Rev. Al Henderson outside of St. Paul Lutheran Church in October 2019 has been found competent to stand trial. 36 year old Joshua Pendelton was in court Tuesday Afternoon and Judge Gina Badding has ordered criminal proceedings against him to resume. A psych evaluation at Iowa Medical Classification Center – Oakdale concluded Pendelton has been restored to competency. Pendelton was sent to that facility in January for treatment of Schizophrenia. His defense attorney did not argue the motion after citing issues in January Pendelton was having assisting in his own defense.  Pendelton was diagnosed with Schizophrenia well over a decade ago and reportedly hadn’t been medicating himself as directed for the last 5 years. He faces charges of 1st Degree Murder and First Degree Robbery. While criminal proceedings against him will resume they will be on hold until September at the earliest due to covid-19 related restrictions.