WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The man who killed a Whitman College employee last summer will be sentenced July 23 in Walla Walla County Superior Court on his guilty charge of first-degree murder, including premeditated intent.

Colby J. Hedman, 24, faces a possible 25-year sentence in exchange for his admission of guilt May 6 in the murder of Kyle Martz, 35.

His confession came in front of about 25 people, including attorneys and sobbing family members in the Department 1 courtroom. About 15 people listened from an adjacent courtroom, and a small group listened via Zoom teleconference call.

In pleading, prosecutors agreed to dismiss Hedman’s second count, vehicle theft, and recommended he receive 25 years in prison. He’ll likely also serve 36 months in community custody, and pay applicable restitution and fees.

The judge isn’t required to abide by sentencing recommendations.

Hedman, who was in court July 8 to set the date, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. July 23 by Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge John Lohrmann.

Due to social-distancing regulations, seating is limited to family of the victim and some who want to make a statement.

Masks are required in the courtroom. Others will need to listen via Zoom on a cellphone or computer, but information on how to connect for that was not yet provided.

Hedman, who Pendleton police list as a transient from the Heppner area, admitted to police he struck Martz with an ax multiple times before stealing his car and fleeing to Oregon, where he was arrested near Baker City after trying to elude police the same day. Police suspected the two didn’t know each other, according to reports.

He also allegedly broke into a home on Taggert Lane in Oregon and moved items from Martz’s pickup truck into the homeowners’ truck. Hedman then allegedly fled on foot after deputies confronted him. Later, he returned to the home and took off in a Jeep he ultimately totaled after leading police on a chase, reports stated.

Hedman had multiple run-ins with police and was released from Umatilla County Jail on June 25, 2019, days before killing Martz. He also missed a court hearing, the same day he murdered Martz, in Umatilla County, for second-degree trespassing, interfering with police, third-degree escape, second-degree disorderly conduct, controlled-substance possession and four warrant charges from a June 5 arrest, Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts said in an earlier interview.