2008 Woodie Awards
Suspect does not recall setting Pizza King fire
Desjardins faces competency/insanity exams after hearing
By: Michelle Erdmann
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Former Pizza King employee Evan Thomas Desjardins will be evaluated for competency and insanity after his preliminary court hearing Thursday was cut short.
During a brief hearing, Isabella County Trial Judge William R. Rush granted a request by Desjardins' attorney, Ghazey Aleck, to have his client examined.
Desjardins was charged Sept. 21 for the alleged arson of Pizza King, 714 E. Preston St.
Aleck said he was reluctant to request the motion, but Desjardins said he had no recollection of the crime.
"I have talked with my client on a couple of occasions," Aleck said. "He is not claiming any memory of the events."
Desjardins, a 24-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, is facing felony charges including arson-real property, arson-preparation to burn property ($20,000 or more) and larceny in a building.
Aleck said Desjardins did not give him any information to work with in forming a defense. He said the possible memory loss may be alcohol-related, but that is currently unknown.
Aleck said the defendant is able to speak freely about other matters, but not with the underlying facts of the case, which is why Aleck was reluctant to have his client evaluated for competency and insanity.
"We should eliminate both now," Aleck said.
Senior Prosecuting Attorney Risa Scully said the state was prepared to proceed with the preliminary hearing.
"It is their right to make the request and, with discretion of the court, to grant it," Scully said.
Aleck said his office still is investigating the case. The defense attorney said he has received some tapes he hopes will help the investigation.
"I want to try to make sure justice arrives," Aleck said.
In a previous article for Central Michigan Life, Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Greg Walterhouse said he believes Desjardins started the fire in order to cover up a larceny at the business. Pizza King owner Levi Henning declined to comment following the hearing.
news@cm-life.com
During a brief hearing, Isabella County Trial Judge William R. Rush granted a request by Desjardins' attorney, Ghazey Aleck, to have his client examined.
Desjardins was charged Sept. 21 for the alleged arson of Pizza King, 714 E. Preston St.
Aleck said he was reluctant to request the motion, but Desjardins said he had no recollection of the crime.
"I have talked with my client on a couple of occasions," Aleck said. "He is not claiming any memory of the events."
Desjardins, a 24-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, is facing felony charges including arson-real property, arson-preparation to burn property ($20,000 or more) and larceny in a building.
Aleck said Desjardins did not give him any information to work with in forming a defense. He said the possible memory loss may be alcohol-related, but that is currently unknown.
Aleck said the defendant is able to speak freely about other matters, but not with the underlying facts of the case, which is why Aleck was reluctant to have his client evaluated for competency and insanity.
"We should eliminate both now," Aleck said.
Senior Prosecuting Attorney Risa Scully said the state was prepared to proceed with the preliminary hearing.
"It is their right to make the request and, with discretion of the court, to grant it," Scully said.
Aleck said his office still is investigating the case. The defense attorney said he has received some tapes he hopes will help the investigation.
"I want to try to make sure justice arrives," Aleck said.
In a previous article for Central Michigan Life, Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Greg Walterhouse said he believes Desjardins started the fire in order to cover up a larceny at the business. Pizza King owner Levi Henning declined to comment following the hearing.
news@cm-life.com
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