Man Accused of Murdering Co-Worker in Cokato Found Incompetent for Trial

(Buffalo, MN) —  The man charged in the beating death of a co-worker last November in Cokato is incompetent to stand trial.

Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes said a psychologist examined 40-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins and determined he lacks the capacity to proceed to trial due to mental illness.

Delong was indicted on a first degree murder charge and is also facing a second-degree murder charge in the killing of 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson.

Lutes said he will do everything in his power to hold Delong accountable for the murder of Czech.

A hearing on Delong’s commitment as mentally ill and dangerous is set for May 21st.

The complete statement from Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes is below:

I am providing an update on the case of David Bruce Delong who brutally murdered Amber Mary Czech in Cokato on November 11, 2025. Delong’s attorney made a motion to challenge his competency to proceed to trial. Minnesota law provides a process for the Court to assess a defendant’s competency to proceed.

Delong was examined by a licensed psychologist. After examining Delong, the psychologist drafted a 19-page written report that was filed with the Court in which the psychologist determined that Delong lacks the capacity to proceed to trial at this time due to mental illness.

Delong’s finding of incompetence is not the end of this case. I fully intend to prosecute Delong for the murder of Amber Czech. I intend to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for Delong. There is a process to restore Delong to competency.

That process to restore Delong to competency has begun.

Delong will not be released from custody. Delong remains in jail. I have filed a petition to commit Delong as mentally ill and dangerous. The commitment of Delong as mentally ill and dangerous will allow Delong to be committed to a locked and secure state hospital where he will be treated for his mental illness.

Once Delong has been treated for mental illness, his competency will be reassessed. The goal is to restore Delong to competence which will allow me to proceed to trial. At no time will Delong be released from custody as he will remain in jail or in a secure, locked facility.

The hearing on Delong’s commitment as mentally ill and dangerous is scheduled for May 21, 2026. I will do everything in my power to hold Delong accountable for the murder of Amber Czech.

Delong’s incompetence finding will delay the criminal case. I ask for patience as this process occurs.