Man who turned himself in for murder reportedly told police he wanted to 'fight'

Robert Lange in his first appearance. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS — A 20-year-old man appeared in court via Zoom after police said he turned himself in for the murder of a 50-year-old man.

Robert Lange is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Alejandro Paredes-Hurtado.

Lange was arraigned in court Wednesday afternoon, where he was appointed a public defender and read his rights.

RELATED | Man charged with murder in beating case after turning himself in to police

Judge Kent Gauchay accepted a motion to increase Lange's bail amount from $100,000 to $150,000.

Lange is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on November 6th.

New details

New details were released in court documents Wednesday that purport to explain the motive behind the beating that ultimately led to Paredes-Hurtado's death.

According to police reports, around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Paredes-Hurtado got into an argument with an unknown person, leaving him “incapacitated” on the sidewalk in front of 555 Northgate Mile.

According to police, a friend of Paredes-Hurtado flagged down a passing officer. Paredes-Hurtado suffered serious injuries to his face and head.

Paredes-Hurtado was transported to EIRMC by ambulance but died Monday from his serious injuries.

On Monday evening, Idaho Falls police released dashcam video showing a “tall, light-skinned male walking north on Northgate Mile and crossing May Street” just a minute before the officer was pulled over.

RELATED | Police release video footage of a “person of interest” who may know something about the beating death

Around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, a man identified as Lange showed up at the Idaho Falls Police Department, which is 0.2 miles from where Paredes-Hurtados was found.

Lange reportedly identified himself by saying he was “sure about what happened down there” and pointed to 555 Northgate Mile.

During an interview with investigators, he allegedly said he had gone out for drinks and was on his way home but was “crazy and wanted to fight.”

Lange said he noticed “something going on in the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant” and saw a man, later identified as Paredes-Hurtado, “breaking a car window and trying to start a fight.”

RELATED | Idaho Falls man dies after being 'severely beaten'; Police are looking for suspects

He told investigators he asked Paredes-Hurtado what he was doing and told him to stop, but said he “came toward him” so he kicked Paredes-Hurtado.

The two reportedly began fighting and fell to the ground. Lange told investigators he hit Paredes-Hurtado “about 20 times until he realized (Paredes-Hurtado) was unconscious.”

Lange allegedly stated that Paredes-Hurtado never hit him. He told investigators he then got up and went home.

According to court documents, Lange told investigators that he suffered injuries to his hands as a result of the fight. Investigators said he was wearing the same shoes the suspect was wearing in the dashcam footage, and Lange confirmed he was wearing those shoes during the fight.

Lange was then arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

If convicted, he could face life in prison.