Defense attorney Michelle Davidson on Thursday asked a Buchanan County judge for 30 days to arrange a mental examination for 39-year-old Robert Jarrell.
Jarrell and another man, Martin Rilinger, are charged with second-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Jason Davies.
His body was found near Leavenworth, Kan., on Sept. 19. Investigators allege Jarrell and Rilinger beat Davies with a baseball bat and frying pan at his apartment in St. Joseph.
Both defendants are being held in the Buchanan County Jail on $250,000 bonds.